Identification of copy number alterations by array comparative genomic hybridization in patients with late chronic or accelerated phase chronic myeloid leukemia treated with imatinib mesylate

Fifteen patients with confirmed CML, on IM for a minimum period of 18-months and showing suboptimal response to IM, as evidenced by failure to achieve major molecular remission (MMolR) at 18 months were identified from a series of patients treated in our centre. Patients received their medication under the auspices of the Glivec International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAP) and were started on an initial dose of 400mg with dose escalations or reductions made according to the patient’s response and tolerance. Archived sequential peripheral blood lysates from the patients were retrieved and DNA/RNA extracted. Thirty-nine DNA samples of sufficient quality and quantity from the 15 patients were subjected to array-CGH analysis to identify recurrent genomic aberrations that occur through the course of disease.