A simplified method of detection of clonal rearrangements of the T-cell receptor-gamma chain gene.
A series of T-cell proliferations in peripheral blood, bone marrow, or tissue samples, together with seven T-cell lines, were analysed for clonality. The technique used employs the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify rearranged T-cell receptor gamma genes, using primers recognising conserved sequences in the variable and joining gene segments. Of the 20 cases of T-cell leukaemia or lymphoma analysed, a clone was detected in 14 (70%): Of seven T-cell lines, a clone was detected in 6 (84%). No positive results were recorded in eight non-T-cell disorders (including nonlymphoid malignancies and reactive disorders). When the results of this technique were combined with the results of our previously published method for the detection of clonally rearranged T-cell receptor-beta (TCR-beta) genes using PCR, 9 of 10 (90%) T-cell tumours were detected. This method uses only four primer combinations in two tubes, and is therefore simple and rapid: it requires no radiolabelling, uses only a small amount of tissue, and can be performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue.
McCarthy
K P
KP
Leukaemia Research Fund Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, England.
Sloane
J P
JP
Kabarowski
J H
JH
Matutes
E
E
Wiedemann
L M
LM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001483:Base Sequence; D002648:Child; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D015334:Gene Rearrangement, gamma-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor; D006801:Humans; D015458:Leukemia, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D017931:DNA Primers