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Sudden BCR-ABL plateau/rise after only 7 months on imatinib

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Diagnosed and started on imatinib late May 2024, BCR-ABL was dropping nicely until December when I got down to 0.139% (I.S.).

Then in February this year (two months later), it was still hanging around a similar number, 0.117%, a negligible change compared to how quickly it was dropping before.

Now only 2 weeks after the 0.117, I'm back up to 1.8 (not sure why they did another one so soon, could have been ordered by the consultant due to the apparent stalling progress or a mistake). Blood cell counts are all otherwise normal.

Although PCR test results aren't always pinpoint accurate, I think two decimal places is probably above the usual error threshold.

Anyone else have a similar personal experience, and if so how did that pan out? I feel very disappointed. Less than 3 months until my 12 month milestone, and now on track for failure. Thought I was blazing ahead towards <0.1%, but apparently not...

Hi. I have been on imatinib for 10 years. In my first two years the PCR did fluctuate. I finally got below 0.1 and it’s stayed quite stable. Just get your drs to recheck.

Also different lads can show up different results. Ideally anything under 0.1 is brilliant - try not to worry. Easy said than done. I have been living with this 10 years now have some off days but generally well. I am 65. Philip Collins londin.

My situation was exactly same as yours. I had my % dropped to .13, but suddenly on the next test it increased to .16 and then after 6months it again dropped to .07. So didn’t worry much. It’s normal.