NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) - MolecularMD said today it is providing qRT-PCR-based patient monitoring for the CML Alliance, a Novartis-run program that aims to improve outcomes for patients with Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia.
The Novartis drug Gleevec, or imatinib, is a kinase inhibitor that targets the BCR-ABL protein to treat CML. In clinical studies, patients prescribed Gleevec who achieve major molecular response as measured by qRT-PCR have the best five-year prognosis for progression-free survival, MolecularMD said.
MolecularMD’s test monitors BCR-ABL oncogene expression by qRT-PCR.
“Results provided by our lab will enable patients and their healthcare providers to confidently optimize treatment of CML,” said MolecularMD’s scientific founder Brian Druker.
Genzyme Genetics is also offering PCR-based BCR-ABL monitoring as part of the CML Alliance.