Chronic myelogenous leukemia

Abstract

Chronic myelogenous leukemia is a clonal hematopoietic stem disorder characterized by excess numbers of myeloid cells that over time, lose the capacity for terminal differentiation. A series of discoveries led to the identification of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase as the cause of the disease and this provided the impetus for the development of specific agents that target this abnormality. This has also led to improved methods for diagnosis and molecular monitoring of patients with the disease. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.