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Consensus on BCR ‐ ABL 1 reporting in chronic myeloid leukaemia in the UK
Author(s) -
Cross Nicholas C. P.,
White Helen E.,
Evans Paul A. S.,
Hancock Jeremy,
Copland Mhairi,
Milojkovic Dragana,
Mason Joanne,
Craine Sandra,
Mead Adam J.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/bjh.15542
Subject(s) - medicine , breakpoint cluster region , tyrosine kinase , chronic myeloid leukaemia , abl , immunology , receptor
Summary For patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia ( CML ), treatment guidelines recommend monitoring response to treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors ( TKI s) by testing the BCR ‐ ABL 1 fusion gene transcript level using reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Despite recent efforts to standardise protocols for BCR ‐ ABL 1 testing, some variability remains among laboratories in the UK regarding the techniques used and the approach to reporting results. This increases the risk of misinterpretation of results by both clinicians and patients. An expert panel met to discuss current issues surrounding BCR ‐ ABL 1 testing in the UK and to develop guidance for laboratories, with emphasis on the optimal approach to reporting laboratory results. Topics included the minimum required information to include in the laboratory report, units of measurement, test sensitivity and BCR ‐ ABL 1 transcript variants. To aid communication between laboratories and clinics, standard forms were generated that could be used by (i) clinics when submitting samples to laboratories, and (ii) laboratories when reporting results to clinics. Standardising the way in which BCR ‐ ABL 1 test results are reported from laboratories to clinics should help to improve communication, interpretation of results and patient care.