The JAK2 V617F Mutation in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia within a BCR-ABL Positive Cohort of Beninese Patients

Chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) is an acquired myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) characterized by a chromosomal abnormality (the Philadelphia chromosome) that causes the chimeric BCR-ABL oncogene. An acquired genetic mutation in exon 12 of the JAK2 tyrosine kinase gene leading to a substitution of a valine for a phenylalanine (V617F) has been described as the most common form of CML for those who test negative for the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome. According to World Health Organization (WHO) classifications (2008), the JAK2 V617F mutation and the BCR-ABL translocation are mutually exclusive for Ph(-) and Ph (+) MP, respectively. We studied the JAK2 V617F mutation in Ph+ myeloid leukaemia in a cohort of 27 Beninese patients. The ARMS multiplex PCR technique was used to identify the JAK2 V617F mutation in all patients. Most of the patients were diagnosed as in the chronic phase (88.9%) of the disease, and all of them were carriers of the Philadelphia chromosome and considered Ph (+). No patients with the BCR/ABL translocation carried the JAK2 V617F mutation. JAK2 V617F is specific to Philadelphia gene negative MP.