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What Do My Molecular Test Results Mean?

• You may receive your first molecular test (also called quantitative polymerase chain reaction or QPCR) when you are diagnosed with CML or starting a new CML treatment. You may then receive molecular tests every 3 to 6 months. If you have achieved a CCyR, molecular tests will continue to tell you and your doctor how your treatment is working. Your doctor will compare your first test result to your follow-up test results
• Good results mean you are responding to therapy and will potentially continue to respond to your therapy over time
• Poor results mean you may be losing response, which may be an early warning sign of resistance to your current treatment
• Your doctor will likely perform additional tests to confirm the loss of response, and together you can discuss alternative CML treatment options
• Molecular test results can be difficult to understand, so ask your doctor to explain the results to you
• Results are often reported as "log reductions." Each "log" means that you have 10 times fewer molecular signals than you had at your first molecular test (the molecular signals, called BCR-ABL transcripts, are signals that tell your cells to produce BCR-ABL proteins)
• The greater the log reduction, the greater the reduction of BCR-ABL transcripts in your body (see table below)

Molecular Test Results: Understanding What a Log Reduction Means

A 3-log or greater reduction is called a major molecular response.

• A complete molecular response means that no BCR-ABL transcripts were detected, but does not mean that you are cured because molecular tests are not sensitive enough to detect very low amounts of these signals

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