scholarly journals Soluble LR11, GCSF−induced Migration Regulator from Myeloid Cells, Is Highly Increased in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 4961-4961
Author(s):  
Naomi Shimizu ◽  
Hideaki Bujo ◽  
Meizi Jiang ◽  
Keigo Nishii ◽  
Emiko Sakaida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Cells ◽  
Test Figure ◽  
Whitney Test ◽  
Endothelial Migration ◽  
Wbc Count ◽  
Soluble Lr11

Abstract Introduction: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized by the myeloproliferative clonal hyperplasia caused by the protein product of the BCR-ABL fusion gene. However, the mechanism underlying the release of increased numbers of myeloid cells from bone marrow (BM) to circulation which causes the accompanied remarkably high count of peripheral white blood cells (WBC) has not been fully elucidated. We have recently reported that G-CSF treatment induced the shedding of an LDL receptor family member LR11 (also called SorLA or SORL1) from myeloid cells, and the released soluble receptor accelerate the trans-endothelial migration of myeloid cells in cooperation with an endothelial activator, tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) (Shimizu et al Ann Hematol 2014). Another group showed that the levels of TNF- a and G-CSF production by CML stem/progenitor cells were increased in the BM of CML. Thus, we hypothesized that the expanded mobilization of peripheral cells in CML is caused by the abnormally induced shedding activity which releases the two soluble key molecules for the migration of clonally expanded cells from BM to peripheral blood. Based on these backgrounds, we examined soluble LR11 levels in the BM of CML patients. Materials and methods: We analyzed 11 patients (comprising three CML, six acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and two immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)), who underwent bone marrow aspiration at the time of diagnosis in Chiba University Hospital between 2011 and 2012. We measured the levels of sLR11 in supernatants of BM by an ELISA method. We also examined the levels of TNF-a and MMP9 in some patients. Then we compared with clinical data including WBC and total nuclear cell count (TNC) of BM. Results: sLR11 levels of supernatant of BM in CML patients were significantly higher than AML patients (134.5+-215.7 ng/ml vs 15.0+-46.1 ng/ml, p=0.0389, Mann-Whitney test, Figure 1). The levels of two ITP patients were 14.8, 14.2 ng/ml respectively. There was no significant correlation between TNC and the levels of sLR11 (p=0.4386) in all patients. However, the WBC counts in CML patients (53,400+-60,253/ml) were slightly higher than AML patients (2970+-34,624/ml) (p=0.1967, Mann-Whitney test, Figure 2). We next evaluated myeloid TNF-a and MMP9 levels in patients with CML or other hematological malignancy). A CML patient revealed remarkably higher levels of TNF- a (16.8 pg/ml), and also MMP9 (22,000 pg/ml), compared with other hematological diseases. Conclusions: soluble LR11 levels were largely increased in the BM of patients with CML. Considering that the myeloid TNF-a level was increased in a case among them, the increased soluble LR11 in BM may induce myeloid cell release from BM into peripheral blood through the cooperative activation of trans-endothelial migration in cooperation with TNF-a. Figure 1. The levels of sLR11 in BM in patients with CML and AML. (p=0.0389) Figure 1. The levels of sLR11 in BM in patients with CML and AML. (p=0.0389) Figure 2. The WBC count in the patients, CML and AML. (p=0.1967) Figure 2. The WBC count in the patients, CML and AML. (p=0.1967) Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Analysis of interferon-inducible genes in cells of chronic myeloid leukemia patients responsive or resistant to an interferon-alpha treatment

Blood ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 76 (11) ◽  
pp. 2337-2342
Author(s):  
IM Clauss ◽  
B Vandenplas ◽  
MG Wathelet ◽  
C Dorval ◽  
A Delforge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Interferon Alpha ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Bone Marrow Cells ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Ifn Alpha ◽  
Inducible Genes ◽  
Marrow Cells

Recombinant human interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) can induce a hematologic remission in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. However, some patients are resistant and others develop late resistance to the IFN- alpha treatment. To understand the molecular mechanism of this resistance, we have analyzed the expression of 10 IFN-inducible genes in the cells of three resistant patients, two responsive patients, and six healthy controls. Northern blot hybridizations showed that all the genes were induced in in vitro IFN-alpha treated peripheral blood cells of the patients and healthy controls. These genes were also inducible in peripheral blood and bone marrow cells of two out of two resistant patients administered an injection of IFN-alpha. We conclude that the resistance to the IFN-alpha treatment of the chronic myeloid leukemia patients we studied is not due to (1) the absence of induction of any of the 10 IFN-inducible genes we studied, including the low-molecular- weight 2′-5′oligoadenylate synthetase; (2) the presence of an antagonist of IFN-alpha in the peripheral blood or bone marrow cells; and (3) the presence of neutralizing anti-IFN-alpha antibodies.

Real-Life Management of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: The Italian Experience

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiorina Giona ◽  
Michelina Santopietro ◽  
Giuseppe Menna ◽  
Maria Caterina Putti ◽  
Concetta Micalizzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Optimal Management ◽  
Molecular Monitoring ◽  
Italian Experience ◽  
Adults And Children

Background: To date, no data on the adherence to specific guidelines for children with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase (CP) have been reported. Methods: Since 2001, guidelines for treatment with imatinib mesylate (IM) and monitoring in patients younger than 18 years with CP-CML have been shared with 9 pediatric referral centers (P centers) and 4 reference centers for adults and children/adolescents (AP centers) in Italy. In this study, the adherence to these guidelines was analyzed. Results: Thirty-four patients with a median age of 11.4 years and 23 patients with a median age of 11.0 years were managed at 9 P and at 4 AP centers, respectively. Evaluations of bone marrow (BM) and/or peripheral blood (PB) were available for more than 90% of evaluable patients. Cytogenetics and molecular monitoring of PB were more consistently performed in AP centers, whereas molecular analysis of BM was carried out more frequently in P centers. Before 2009, some patients who responded to IM underwent a transplantation, contrary to the guidelines’ recommendations. Conclusions: Our experience shows that having specific guidelines is an important tool for an optimal management of childhood CP-CML, together with exchange of knowledge and proactive discussions within the network.

Consistency Of RQ-PCR Analysis Results In Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow Samples In Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients: Relevance From The Practical and Logistic Point Of View

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 2592-2592
Author(s):  
Giovanna Rege-Cambrin ◽  
Carmen Fava ◽  
Enrico Gottardi ◽  
Filomena Daraio ◽  
Emilia Giugliano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Cytogenetic Response ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Molecular Response ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background Consensus has been achieved that standardized molecular quantitative analysis (RQ-PCR) on peripheral blood (PB) is a suitable method for monitoring residual disease in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, BM is still obtained at specific timepoints, and in a number of cases, only bone marrow (BM) sample collected for cytogenetic analysis is available. Being one of the laboratory involved in the standardization process of molecular monitoring for CML patients, we decided to perform a comparative analysis of BM and PB samples in order to evaluate the consistency of the results. Methods Between March 2009 and January 2013, 230 consecutive RQ-PCR tests to assess BCR-ABL transcript levels from simultaneously collected PB and BM samples were performed (for a total of 460 analysis) on 77 patients affected by Ph+ CML in chronic phase treated in our center. All samples were analyzed in the same laboratory following international guidelines (Cross N, Leukemia 2012) and results were expressed according to the International Scale; ABL1 was used as control gene. Time from blood-drawn to processing was within 3-4 hours. Results Among the 230 pairs, 3 were considered as not evaluable because of inadequate material; for the purpose of this study, the remaining 227 pairs were considered as “evaluable”. 204 pairs were classified as “fit” when both BM and PB ABL amplification resulted in more than 10.000 copies; 23 pairs were considered unfit for ABL1 <10.000 in either one of the two samples (21) or both (2). The mean number of ABL1 copies in all evaluable samples was 35.639 for BM (SD 21.465) and 30.958 for PB samples (SD 18.696). Correlation analysis was performed on the whole population and in 4 subgroups: No Complete Cytogenetic Response (CCyR, 22%), CCyR without Major Molecular Response (MMR), (21.6%), CCyR with MMR (excluding patients with MR4 or better,19.8%), and CCyR with MR4 – MR4.5 (32,6%). Cytogenetic response was not available in 9 BM samples (4%), not included in the subgroup analysis. Spearman correlation of BCR/ABL ratio values between PB versus BM paired samples resulted in a statistically significant correlation in all groups, both for evaluable and fit pairs. Correlation was stronger in samples that were not in MMR or better (table 1 and figure 1). The Wilcoxon test showed that the mean difference of BCR/ABL values between paired PB and BM samples was not significantly different from zero (in evaluable and fit pairs by considering the whole population). Concordance was further analyzed by the K test which resulted in a coefficient equal to 0.627, corresponding to a notable degree of concordance. For patients in CCyR, agreement on classification of response (MMR, MR4, MR4.5) between paired PB and BM samples was observed in 125/168 evaluable pairs; 22 out of the 43 evaluable cases of disagreement were due to technical failures (in 10 BM and 12 PB samples). In 14 of the remaining 21 cases, PB was more sensitive. Conclusions In a single center experience of molecular analysis, BCR/ABL ratio was highly consistent in BM and PB samples. In less than 10% of the cases a single test did not reach the required sensitivity of 10.000 ABL copies and the double testing allowed to obtain a valid result. This may be especially valuable in evaluating an early response (i.e. at 3 months), when the amount of disease has prognostic relevance. The analysis will be expanded to include samples coming from different centers to evaluate a possible role of timing and transport on data consistency. Disclosures: Saglio: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; ARIAD: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria.

scholarly journals Atypical Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 5455-5455
Author(s):  
Chandralekha Ashangari ◽  
Praveen K. Tumula
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Philadelphia Chromosome ◽  
Myeloproliferative Neoplasm ◽  
Peripheral Blood Flow ◽  
Current Standard ◽  
Atypical Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Wbc Count

Abstract Introduction: Atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML), BCR-ABL1 negative is a rare myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) for which no current standard of care exists. We present one of the rare presentations of aCML in an elderly patient. Case: A 76 year old male presented to the Hematology clinic for consultation after discharge from local hospital for elevated WBC count. Past medical history was significant for COPD, acid reflux, peripheral arterial disease and hypertension. Physical exam was unremarkable. Initial labs were significant for leukocytosis of 30 k/cu mm, anemia with Hb 10 gm/dl, thrombocytosis 695,000 with neutrophilia of ANC 25,200. Peripheral blood was negative for JAK2 V617F and BCR-ABL. Peripheral blood flow cytometry showed granulocytic left shift with 1.5% myeloblasts. Bone marrow biopsy suggestive of hypercellular marrow (100%) with myeloid predominance, atypical megakaryocytes, increased ring sideroblasts (49% of NRBC), increased blasts (5%) and dysgranulopoeisis over all suggestive of Myelodyplastic Syndrome/Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorder (MDS/MPD). Cytogenetics were positive for U2AF1 positive, CSF3R T6181, CSF3R Q776 pathognomonicof atypical CML and negative for BCR-ABL, FLT3. He was considered transplant ineligible. He was started on Azacitadine and is currently receiving 2nd cycle therapy. He is also receiving darbepoeitin periodically to avoid frequent transfusions. He is currently transfusion independent. Discussion: Increased WBC count (e.g., cutoffs of >40×109/L or 50×109/L), increased percentage of peripheral blood myeloid precursors, female sex, and older age are adverse prognostic factors for overall survival or leukemia-free survival in aCML. aCML cases lack in Philadelphia chromosome. Overall 50-65% of patients show cytogenetic abnormalities. The most frequent is +8 (25%). Other changes such as -7 and del(12p) have also been recurrently observed. Patients with aCML have an estimated median survival between 14 and 30 months. aCML tends to exhibit a more aggressive clinical course than other MDS/MPN subtypes. Figure. Figure. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Impact of Proteomic Profile of Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow Sera on Molecular Response in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Preliminary Data

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 5515-5515
Author(s):  
Nicola Sgherza ◽  
Vito Garrisi ◽  
Giacoma De Tullio ◽  
Simona Serratì ◽  
Angela Iacobazzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Preliminary Data ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Molecular Response ◽  
Proteomic Profile ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B

Abstract BACKGROUND. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by an aberrant protein (BCR–ABL) which is a constitutively active tyrosine kinase. According to the latest ELN recommendations for the management of CML, molecular response (MR) is best assessed according to the International Scale (IS) as the ratio of BCR-ABL1 transcripts to ABL1 transcripts, or other internationally recognized control transcripts. It is expressed and reported as BCR-ABL1% on a log scale where 10%, 1%, 0.1%, 0.01%, 0.0032%, and 0.001% correspond to a decrease of respectively 1 (MR1), 2 (MR2), 3 (MR3), 4 (MR4), 4.5 (MR4.5) logs below the standard baseline that was used in the IRIS study. Recent advances in the proteomic field have allowed us to better understand the biology of several cancer types and/or discover new candidate biomarkers, but very few data are available in CML. AIMS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a possible correlation between depth of MR and proteomic profile in sera samples obtained from the peripheral blood and bone marrow of CML patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Samples were consecutively and prospectively obtained from 20 CML patients observed between January and June 2014 at the Hematology Unit of the National Cancer Research Centre “Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II” in Bari, Italy. Each individual involved in the study signed an informed consent form authorizing the Institute to utilize their biological tissues for research purposes. All patients at diagnosis displayed the classic t(9;22) Ph chromosome according to standard cytogenetics. The BCR/ABL transcript at RT-PCR was b3a2 in 13 patients and b2a2 in 7 patients. Peripheral blood and bone marrow samples were centrifuged within 30 minutes of sample taking. Serum specimens were immediately collected and frozen at −80°C. Twenty sera from peripheral blood were sampled from 5 patients in MR1 response, four in MR2, eight in MR3, two in MR4 and 1 patient at diagnosis; for eleven patients serum from bone marrow was also available; in particular 2 were sampled from patients in MR1, 3 in MR2, 4 in MR3, 1 in MR4 and 1 at diagnosis. Patients were grouped in two cohorts: the first comprised those with lower molecular response to MR3 (group A: 10 patients) and the second greater than or equal to MR3 (group B: 10 patients). The association of proteomic profile with molecular response was performed using the SELDI ToF Mass Spectrometry platform. Each specimen was spotted on an IMAC30 metal affinity protein-chip, prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions, and analyzed in duplicate. RESULTS Fourteen differentially expressed peaks were highlighted when comparing peripheral sera from group A and group B, but none was statistically significant. When comparing 11 available serum samples from the bone marrow of groups A (6) and B (5), four peaks (m/z 10629, m/z 3889, m/z 7772, m/z 7987) were reported as differentially expressed in a statistically significant way (p<0.05). Focusing the differential expression analysis in peripheral sera only on MR1 patients (including one patient at diagnosis) versus MR4 patients, one peak at m/z 11092 was identified as significantly and differentially expressed (p < 0.05) (Figure 1). Similarly, comparing bone marrow sera only from MR1 and MR4 patients respectively, 32 peaks were differentially expressed. Once again the peak at m/z 11092 resulted under expressed in MR1 patients, and interestingly the single patient at diagnosis had the lowest value. No statistical differences were evidenced when comparing peripheral blood and bone marrow sera obtained from b3a2 and b2a2 patients. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary data suggest that an over-expression of m/z 11092 in serum obtained from peripheral blood and bone marrow could be associated with a deeper molecular response; further investigations are needed on a larger number of patients in order to confirm or refute our results and, to definitively characterize the peak at m/z 11092. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Increased Expression of TIGIT/CD57 in Peripheral Blood/Bone Marrow NK Cells in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Danlin Yao ◽  
Ling Xu ◽  
Lian Liu ◽  
Xiangbo Zeng ◽  
Juan Zhong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Nk Cells ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Replicative Senescence ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Molecular Response

The antitumor activity of NK cells in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is inhibited by the leukemia microenvironment. Recent studies have identified that the expression of TIGIT, CD57, and KLRG1 is related to the function, maturation, and antitumor capabilities of NK cells. However, the characteristics of the expression of these genes in the peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) from patients with CML remain unknown. In this study, we used multicolor flow cytometry to assay the quantity and phenotypic changes of NK cells in PB and BM from de novo CML (DN-CML) and CML patients acquiring molecular response (MR-CML). We found that the expression of TIGIT, which inhibits NK cell function, is increased on CD56+ and CD56dim NK cells in DN-CML PB compared with those in healthy individuals (HIs), and it is restored to normal in patients who achieve MR. We also found that the expression of CD57 on NK cells was approximately the same level in PB and BM from DN-CML patients, while decreased CD57 expression was found on CD56+ and CD56dim NK cells in HI BM compared with PB. Additionally, those two subsets were significantly increased in DN-CML BM compared to HI BM. The expression of CD57 correlates with replicative senescence and maturity for human NK cells; therefore, the increase in TIGIT on PB NK cells together with an increase in CD57 on BM NK cells may explain the subdued NK cell antileukemia capacity and proliferative ability in DN-CML patients. These results indicate that reversing the immune suppression of PB NK cells by blocking TIGIT while improving the proliferation of BM NK cells via targeting CD57 may be more effective in removing tumor cells.

Prediction of Response to Imatinib by Prospective Quantitation of BCR-ABL Transcript in Late Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia PatientsBy GIMEMA Working Party on CML.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 4672-4672
Author(s):  
Giovanni Martinelli ◽  
Gianantonio Rosti ◽  
Fabrizio Pane ◽  
Marilina Amabile ◽  
Simona Bassi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Working Party ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Prediction Of Response ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Blood Samples

Abstract Imatinib mesylate (STI571), a specific Bcr-Abl inhibitor, has shown a potent antileukemic activity in clinical studies of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. Early prediction of response to imatinib cannot be anticipated. We used a standardized quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) for bcr-abl transcripts on 191 out of 200 late-chronic phase CML patients enrolled in a phase II clinical trial with imatinib 400 mg/day. Bone marrow samples were collected before treatment, after 3, 6 and 12 months or at the end of study treatment (12 months) while peripheral blood samples were obtained after 2, 3, 6, 10, 14, 20 and 52 weeks of therapy. The amount of Bcr-Abl transcript was expressed as the ratio of Bcr-Abl to β2-microglobulin (β2M). We show that, following initiation of imatinib, the early Bcr-Abl level trends in both bone marrow and peripheral blood samples made it possible to predict the subsequent cytogenetic outcome after 6 and 12 months of treatment, and that these early trends were also predictive of progression-free survival.

Significant Discrepancy In Peripheral Blood Compared to Bone Marrow BCR-ABL Transcript Levels In Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 4471-4471
Author(s):  
Jason N Berman ◽  
Wenda Greer ◽  
Ridas Juskevicius ◽  
Conrad V Fernandez ◽  
Mark Bernstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Transcript Level ◽  
Transcript Levels ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Abstract 4471 Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is associated with the reciprocal t(9;22)(q34;q11) translocation, which generates the BCR-ABL fusion oncogene and is the most common myeloproliferative disease affecting adults. The clinical outcome in this disease has been revolutionized with the use of imatinib mesylate (Gleevec), a targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and molecular surveillance, with the development of quantitative PCR (qPCR) approaches to measure BCR-ABL transcript levels. A number of guidelines outlining follow-up strategies for patients with chronic phase CML on imatinib therapy have been established. Once a patient is stable, a typical recommendation includes peripheral blood (PB) monitoring by qPCR of BCR-ABL levels every 3–6 months to determine response or relapse, with consideration of annual bone marrow (BM) examinations to assess for cytogenetic evolution. At the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre and IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, 34 patients with chronic phase CML on imatinib were identified from 2006 to 2008, with 36 paired samples, where transcript levels were assessed in both PB and BM within one week of each other. In 24 of the cases, the BCR-ABL transcript levels in PB and BM were within 0.5 log values of each other. In the remaining 12 cases, BCR-ABL transcript levels differed by greater than 0.5 log. Three cases had higher BM levels, but surprisingly, 9 patients had a higher BCR-ABL transcript level in the PB. In all cases, BCR-ABL levels were assessed by Q-RT-PCR using the ABI7500 instrument and primers and probe designed to detect p210 and p190 breakpoints. Results were recorded as a ratio of %BCR-ABL to GAPDH that was amplified as an internal control. There was no significant difference in clinical, morphological or laboratory parameters between these patients and others who had comparable PB and BM BCR-ABL levels. These findings highlight the need to compare BCR-ABL transcript levels derived from the same tissue during longitudinal monitoring. Moreover, while potentially due to stochastic factors, the striking observation of higher PB BCR-ABL transcript levels raises the question of which tissue represents the most accurate source for monitoring of BCR-ABL transcript levels and whether there is value in confirming a significant change in PB transcript level with BM evaluation. The discrepant levels in PB and BM could not be attributed to technical issues; the timing of sample processing from collection and quality of mRNA were comparable and no variability was observed in GAPDH levels to account for the difference. Without a technical explanation, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains uncertain. We speculate that it may reflect CML stem cell geography with one possibility being that the CML niche may be located external to the BM. Further studies are needed to confirm these observations. If corroborated, then revision of surveillance approaches for chronic phase patients may be indicated. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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