p190 <i>BCR-ABL</i> rearrangement in chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Abstract

A minority of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cases have breakpoint in the minor cluster region (m-bcr) of the BCR-ABL fusion gene. We report a patient with Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia and m-bcr breakpoint at diagnosis. The patient was treated with chemotherapy followed by an autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, achieving a clinical and hematological complete remission but with persistence of the Philadelphia chromosome. One year later, she developed leukocytosis with a blood picture consistent with CML. She was treated with hydroxyurea and interferon α with no response. This is the second case of m-bcr CML reported presenting with features of lymphoid blast crisis or acute lymphoblastic leukemia.