Researchers in Thailand have developed a novel tool to detect BCR/ABL fusion gene in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The technology involved a magneto-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) – enzyme linked gene can help provide physicians with practical tools for appropriate follow up treatment.

“The aim of this research is to develop a detection tool to help physicians tackle this illness which is considered a common hematologic malignancy nationwide” said Dr. Duangporn Polpanich, a research team member from the National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC). “Current diagnostic tool for CML have several drawbacks such as cost effective, labour intensive, time consuming, and not available for local hospital use. Therefore, there is a need to develop a diagnostic tool that will combine the RT-PCR technology with magnetic nanoparticles”.

The knowledge gained from this research can be use to develop additional detection tool for other genetic diseases, infectious diseases, and cancers – especially involving other leukemia cell types.

The research was published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Collaborators on this research included Mahidol University, Young Scientist and Technology Program (YSTP), Thailand Graduate Institute of Science and Technology (TGIST), Ramathibodi Hospital, and National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC).