BCR-ABL1 Genetic Test
Reviewed
A BCR-ABL1 genetic test uses a sample of blood or bone marrow to look for an abnormal gene called BCR-ABL1. This abnormal gene is involved in certain types of blood cancer, including chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and some acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL).
Preparation and collection
You usually do not need any special preparations for a blood test. If you are having a bone marrow test, your provider will tell you whether you need to fast (not eat or drink) for a few hours before the procedure.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- Different laboratory methods may yield different results. It is important to have tests done consistently in the same lab for accurate monitoring.
- A negative BCR-ABL1 result does not completely exclude CML or Ph+ ALL, as rare cases may lack the Philadelphia chromosome.
- This test is not diagnostic on its own; it must be interpreted alongside other laboratory and clinical findings.
What to do next
Your healthcare provider will review your results in the context of your overall health. Depending on the results, further testing may be needed. If diagnosed, treatment options include targeted therapies. Regular monitoring with BCR-ABL1 testing is often used to assess treatment response and detect recurrence.