Today I had an interesting discussion with my doctor about the results of my latest BCR-ABL test. This is a test that detects blood cells with the abnormality that eventually causes leukaemia. Each time I have had this test (it is taken once per quarter), it has shown a very weak positive. Initially the doctor said it was probably nothing, as the result was so weak, but now I have had several of these tests that show a weak positive result, it is likely that I do have some residual abnormal cell production, even though these cells are not developing into anything.
For the last two years I have been taking a drug called Imatinib (commercially known as Glivec), which is supposed to act against this abnormality. Normally, in the treatment of ALL (lymphocytic leukaemia), they stop this drug after two years. However, because I have this constant presence of abnormal cells , my doctor has decided to keep me on the Imatinib for another 3 months whilst she does some more research into it's efficacy for my type of ALL. As an aside, the cell abnormality I have is the same as that found in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), which is treated by Imatinib (forever).
Although this is not good, I guess it is not bad either - it is what it is. In the past the tests were not so sensitive, and would have shown negative results. Although this is little comfort; in the past maybe I would not have made it this far!
On a more positive note, it is now nearly two years since my transplant (June 23rd is my second birthday), which is a important statistical milestone.
