BCL-2 Gene Expression Effect on Haematological Profiles among CML Patients in Ile –Ife. Osun State. Nigeria

Samson Elujoba; Musa A. Muhibi; Joseph O. Olanrewaju; Isaac O. Famakin; Emmanuel  O. Awosika; Ayodeji J. Osevwe; Samson O. Yusuf; Olasunkanmi M. Olisa; Julius O. Oriowo

doi:10.47743/jemb-2026-253

Authors

Samson Elujoba Achievers University Owo, Ondo State
Musa A. Muhibi
Joseph O. Olanrewaju
Isaac O. Famakin
Emmanuel O. Awosika
Ayodeji J. Osevwe
Samson O. Yusuf
Olasunkanmi M. Olisa
Julius O. Oriowo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47743/jemb-2026-253

Keywords:

B-Cell Lymphoma 2 gene, chronic myelogenous leukemic, leucocytosis, anaemia, neutrophilia

Abstract

BCL-2 was the first anti-death gene. A key for oncogenic mechanism in several haematological malignancies, has been attributed to the upregulation of BCL-2 which is caused by numerous mechanisms. The aim of the study is to evaluate the BCL-2 gene mutation by its expression level and the resultant effect on haematological profiles among Chronic Myelogenous Leukemic (CML) patients in Ile Ife. This study was cross-sectional and a total of 100 consenting participants were recruited: 50 known CML patients and 50 control subjects. Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, a Referral Centre for haematologic malignancies, and Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, Ile-Ife, were used as the study centers. Full blood count was done using 3-part haematology auto analyzer (Mindray), while RNA extraction and qPCR Bcl-2 quantification were done using real time PCR equipment. The results obtained from the study shows that there are higher expression levels of the Bcl-2 gene in CML samples compared with control samples, attaining significant p<0.05. Bcl-2 overexpression, suggests that dysregulated Bcl-2 is potentially involved in the pathogenesis of CML. The haematology parameters also shows significant effect of Bcl-2 mutation (p<0.05) as follows: 30% leukocytosis was observed in CML with gene expression compared to normal leukocyte count observed among 43(86%) control and 29(58%) CML with no gene expression. It was noted that more than halve i.e 24% CML with overexpression have anaemia while more than halve i.e.44%CML with no expression and 70%control has normal PCV. The 14% thrombocytosis among the CML with gene expression compared to 2% among the non-expressed CML and 4% among the control is prognostic. The overexpression observed in this study is suggestive of a level that is characteristic of CML patients, and its association with anaemia, leukocytosis and neutrophilia and can be used in the evaluation of the disease and aid in the BCL-2 therapy.

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