Chronic Melogenous Leukemia (CML)
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) is a slow growing uncommon type of cancer of the white blood cells, characterized by replacement of the bone marrow with malignant, leukemic cells. Many of these leukemic cells can be found circulating in the blood and can cause enlargement of the spleen, liver, and eventually invades various parts of the body.
CML is usually diagnosed by finding a specific chromosomal abnormality called the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome, named after the city where it was first discovered. The Ph chromosome is the result of a translocation—or exchange of genetic material—between the long arms of chromosomes 9 and 22 . This exchange brings together two genes: the BCR (breakpoint cluster region) gene on chromosome 22 and the proto-oncogene ABL (Ableson leukemia virus) on chromosome 9. The resulting hybrid gene BCR-ABL codes for a fusion protein with tyrosine kinase activity, which activates signal transduction pathways, leading to uncontrolled cell growth.
A mouse model has been created that develops a CML-like disease when given bone marrow cells infected with a virus containing the BCR-ABL gene. In other animal models, the fusion proteins have been shown to transform normal blood precursor cells to malignant cells. To research the human disease, antisense oligomers (short DNA segments) that block BCR-ABL were developed that specifically suppressed the formation of leukemic cells while not affecting the normal bone marrow cell development. These and other experimental techniques may lead to future treatments for CML.
The presence of BCR/ABL rearrangement is the hallmark of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), although this rearrangement has also been described in other diseases. It is considered diagnostic when present in a patient with clinical manifestations of CML
There are several “subtypes” of CML, including chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia, and chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL).
CML Symptoms
- High white blood cell level in blood
- High white blood cell level in bone marrow
- Chronic fatigue
- Headache
- Fever
- Night Sweats
- Unexplained weight Loss
- Easy bruising
- Pale skin
- Pain or Pressure on the left side of the abdomen (where spleen is located)
- Bleeding
- Infection
By: Kaye S.
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