Identification of BCR::ABL1 Mutations by Digital PCR in CML

This is a multicenter biological study addressing the efficiency of ddPCR in detecting actionable mutations in patients with failure of TKI therapy. The study will involve 4 reference laboratories for BCR::ABL1 KD mutation testing Italian hematological centers enrolling patients and collecting samples for analysis.

Peripheral blood samples taken from patients treated according to clinical practice with resistance to imatinib or 2GTKI therapy according to the ELN recommendations will be shipped to one of the reference laboratories and analyzed by ddPCR using Bio-Rad ADS assays and reagents. Samples will be analyzed in batches of suitable size. ddPCR results will be compared with NGS results generated by reference laboratories belonging to LabNet CML network . In patients positive for mutations below 20% by ddPCR (low level mutations) peripheral blood sample(s) will be collected every 3 months at subsequent follow-up visits to monitor the kinetics of mutations in relation to therapy continuation or change.

No modification of TKI type or TKI dose will be performed on the basis of ddPCR results.

Inclusion criteria

• molecularly confirmed diagnosis of BCR::ABL1+ CML;
• positivity for either e13a2 or e14a2 transcript;
• age ≥18 years;
• chronic phase;
• on therapy with imatinib or 2 GTKIs (dasatinib, nilotinib and bosutinib);
• candidate to TKI switch because of resistance according to the ELN recommendations OR with a confirmed warning response to 2GTKI therapy according to the ELN recommendations;
• Signed written informed consent according to ICH/EU/GCP and national local laws.

Exclusion criteria

• blastic phase;
• Previous allogeneic transplant or candidate to allogeneic transplant;
• on treatment with ponatinib or asciminib, investigational TKIs or non-TKI-therapy;
• switch performed or planned due to intolerance and not to resistance.