My Quantitative BCR-ABL came back with: "Results: BCR-ABL1 transcript is detected near the lower limit of the assay." The percentage for the test is listed as .000%. What is the difference between this result and the "not detected" result? Happy New Year everyone.
What does this mean on a BCR-ABL test?
Started by
BPilgrim
, Jan 19 2018 01:49 PM
8 replies to this topic
#2
scuba
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Posted 19 January 2018 - 03:03 PM
It means that a bcr-abl protein may or may not have been detected. You are in the noise of the test. You could have another test run on that same sample it could just have easily shown "not detected".
According to the lab physician in charge at M.D. Anderson, they report "not detected" when the test result is completely negative. They report "detected", with a result of <0.01% when the test shows positive but not quantifiable. The result could be erroneous, contamination, or genuine test error.
You are in a good place. PCRU and <0.01% are indistinguishable. Psychologically - PCRU is better otherwise no difference.
Diagnosed 11 May 2011 (100% FiSH, 155% PCR)
with b2a2 BCR-ABL fusion transcript coding for the 210kDa BCR-ABL protein
Sprycel: 20 mg per day - taken at lights out with Quercetin and/or Magnesium Taurate
6-8 grams Curcumin C3 complex.
2015 PCR: < 0.01% (M.D. Anderson scale)
2016 PCR: < 0.01% (M.D. Anderson scale)
March 2017 PCR: 0.01% (M.D. Anderson scale)
June 2017 PCR: "undetected"
September 2017 PCR: "undetected"
#3
BPilgrim
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Posted 19 January 2018 - 04:11 PM
Thanks, scuba. I appreciate the quick reply.
#4
Susan61
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Posted 20 January 2018 - 05:36 PM
Hi Scuba: Is everyone else still around. I do not see any familiar names, and have forgotten a lot of them. Hope I can stay on here this time. I am waiting for my latest PCR test this week. I am still on Gleevec 400 mg. a day, but now my husband is very sick. He has been the one carrying the insurance. I am trying to get help as I cannot afford my medication anymore.
Glad to see you are undetected now. Keep up the good work. This coming July will be 18 years PCRU for me
Take Care and God Bless
#5
Pin
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Posted 21 January 2018 - 12:06 AM
Hello again Susan, it's nice to hear from you 
I am sorry to hear that your husband is sick, that is not good news at all - I really hope you are able to get Gleevec through another means.
I can guess what scuba will say - "Susan, you are cured and you don't need to take Gleevec anymore".
Really though, it might be a good time foe you to try cessation, as 18 years of PCRU is truly unbelievably good results and it may be worth a go for you 
I am sorry to hear that your husband is sick, that is not good news at all - I really hope you are able to get Gleevec through another means. I can guess what scuba will say - "Susan, you are cured and you don't need to take Gleevec anymore".
Really though, it might be a good time foe you to try cessation, as 18 years of PCRU is truly unbelievably good results and it may be worth a go for you
Diagnosed 9 June 2011, Glivec 400mg June 2011-July 2017, Tasigna 600mg July 2017-present (switched due to intolerable side effects, and desire for future cessation attempt).
Commenced monthly testing when MR4.0 lost during 2012.
2017: <0.01, <0.01, 0.005 (200mg Glivec, Adelaide) <0.01, 0.001 (new test sensitivity)
2016: <0.01, <0.01, PCRU, 0.002 (Adelaide)
2015: <0.01, <0.01, <0.01, 0.013
2014: PCRU, <0.01, <0.01, <0.01, <0.01
2013: 0.01, 0.014, 0.016, 0.026, 0.041, <0.01, <0.01
2012: <0.01, <0.01, 0.013, 0.032, 0.021
2011: 38.00, 12.00, 0.14
#6
scuba
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Posted 21 January 2018 - 08:49 AM
Hi Susan - Great to hear from you again!
"Susan, you are cured and you don't need to take Gleevec anymore".
(or at least cut your dose ... )
Diagnosed 11 May 2011 (100% FiSH, 155% PCR)
with b2a2 BCR-ABL fusion transcript coding for the 210kDa BCR-ABL protein
Sprycel: 20 mg per day - taken at lights out with Quercetin and/or Magnesium Taurate
6-8 grams Curcumin C3 complex.
2015 PCR: < 0.01% (M.D. Anderson scale)
2016 PCR: < 0.01% (M.D. Anderson scale)
March 2017 PCR: 0.01% (M.D. Anderson scale)
June 2017 PCR: "undetected"
September 2017 PCR: "undetected"
#7
Pin
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Posted 21 January 2018 - 10:32 PM
Hi Susan - Great to hear from you again!
"Susan, you are cured and you don't need to take Gleevec anymore".
(or at least cut your dose ... )
Haha, see
I get lots of comfort in these things never changing I do hope we can work out this board issue - I would hate to lose our network by transplanting it to something that won't fully support it.
Diagnosed 9 June 2011, Glivec 400mg June 2011-July 2017, Tasigna 600mg July 2017-present (switched due to intolerable side effects, and desire for future cessation attempt).
Commenced monthly testing when MR4.0 lost during 2012.
2017: <0.01, <0.01, 0.005 (200mg Glivec, Adelaide) <0.01, 0.001 (new test sensitivity)
2016: <0.01, <0.01, PCRU, 0.002 (Adelaide)
2015: <0.01, <0.01, <0.01, 0.013
2014: PCRU, <0.01, <0.01, <0.01, <0.01
2013: 0.01, 0.014, 0.016, 0.026, 0.041, <0.01, <0.01
2012: <0.01, <0.01, 0.013, 0.032, 0.021
2011: 38.00, 12.00, 0.14
#8
Marnie
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Posted 21 January 2018 - 10:41 PM
Hi, Susan! I don't check in very often. Glad to hear from you!
#9
kat73
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Posted 22 January 2018 - 10:33 AM
Marnie! Another "old" voice! Yay!
Dx July 2009 on routine physical. WBC 94. Started Gleevec 400 mg Sept 2009. MMR at 2yrs. Side effects (malaise, depression/anxiety, fatigue, nausea, periorbital edema) never improved. Kidney issues developed because of Gleevec. Switched to Sprycel 70 mg in Aug 2011. Above side effects disappeared or improved. Have been MR3.5 - 4.5 ever since. Two untreated pleural effusions followed by one treated by stopping Sprycel Jan 2017. After 9 weeks, PCR showed loss of MMR; re-started Sprycel at 50 mg and in 3 months was back to <0.01% IS. Pleural effusion returned within a couple of months, same as before (moderate, left side only). Stopped Sprycel 50 mg for 12 weeks; pleural effusion resolved. At about a monthoff the drug, PCR was 0.03; at 11 weeks it was 2.06 - lost CCyR? Have returned to 50 mg Sprycel for 3 weeks, intending to reduce to 20 mg going forward.
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