A multiplex PCR for improved detection of typical and atypical BCR-ABL fusion transcripts

RT-PCR is the method of choice for detecting BCR-ABL in CML and ALL. The three predominant mRNA transcripts found are e1a2 (in ALL), e13a2, and e14a2 (in CML and ALL). However, a number of “atypical” BCR-ABL transcripts (e1a3, e13a3, e14a3, e19a2, e6a2, e8a2, etc.) resulting from chromosomal breakpoints outside ABL intron 1 or BCR intron 1, 13 or 14, respectively, have been reported. These atypical transcripts may escape detection when using methods that are optimized to detect just the typical ones. We present here a novel, fast, and reliable multiplex PCR for improved detection of typical and atypical BCR-ABL transcripts.