Objective: To detect bcr gene rearrangement in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
Methods: Bcr rearrangement was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), using 765E3, a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC)-derived probe flanking the breakpoint within bcr gene.
Results: Nine patients with CML were examined, bcr gene rearrangement was revealed in 5 cases in chronic phase, 2 in blastic phase, and one after interferon-alpha therapy. The karyotype of 1 case after autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) was chimera with normal and bcr gene rearrangement chromosomes.
Conclusion: YAC765E3 is a useful probe for detecting bcr gene rearrangement. FISH technique is likely an important tool for monitoring of treatment and revealing minimal residual disease in CML.