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| Patient Sample Report and Data Interpretation |
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| (1) How and when do I receive the results of the test? |
| You can receive the results via fax as requested on the test requisition form. The results will be sent 4 - 5 business days after receipt of the sample. |
| (2) What information does the standard report contain? |
The standard report includes:
•BCR-ABL/ABL ratio (% BCR-ABL gene to control gene) with its reference to MMR
•BCR-ABL copy number
•ABL copy number
•Graph of the patient’s cumulative result, if applicable
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| (3) What if levels are below MMR? |
Attaining MMR means a patient is likely to live without disease progression for at least 5 years.1
In the International Randomized Interferon versus STI571 (IRIS) study, patients with a ratio at or below MMR within 12-18 months of starting treatment were 100% free from progressing to accelerated phase or blast crisis at 5 years.1
1. Druker et al., NEJM 2006; 355: 2408-17
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| (4) What if levels rise? |
A rise in BCR-ABL/ABL levels may indicate relapse, and another BCR-ABL/ABL measurement is recommended. If the trend in BCR-ABL/ABL rise continues, mutation testing is recommended, per National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines.
NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology, V.1.2006, Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/cml.pdf)
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| (5) What if levels rise above MMR? |
| If the BCR-ABL/ABL levels rise significantly above MMR (greater than 5-fold) and rises occur in two consecutive measurements, this may indicate relapse, and another BCR-ABL/ABL measurement is recommended. If the trend in BCR-ABL/ABL rise continues, mutation testing is recommended, per National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines. |
| (6) Can patients receive a copy of their test results? |
| No. Results are only released to the physician who orders the test. The physician may choose to give the patient a copy of the results. |
| (7) Can MolecularMD help interpret results? |
| MolecularMD has physicians on staff who can help interpret the results, but we cannot give advice or direction on treatment options. |
