Knocking out Ptbp2 in CML cell lines and patient samples decreased Polk levels; when treated with hydroxyurea, these samples exhibited increased DNA damage, evidenced by long comet tails and elevated γH2AX foci, a DNA damage marker; however, re-expressing Polk in Ptbp2-KO cells restored the phenotype. This evidence concerns the gene PTBP2 and chronic myelogenous leukemia, BCR-ABL1 positive.