Use of the polymerase chain reaction for the detection of tumor cell involvement of bone marrow and peripheral blood: implications for purging.
Bone marrow purging is being performed increasingly in an effort to deplete residual tumor cells from the graft prior to reinfusion. Several studies have suggested that the removal of tumor cells is an important clinical goal. In this review the utility of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of small numbers of tumor cells in bone marrow and peripheral blood is discussed. Using sensitive assays such as PCR, it is expected that the efficacy of bone marrow purging strategies will be improved and this will hopefully result in decreased relapse rates following autologous bone marrow transplantation.
Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Stanford University Hospital, CA 94305.
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Negrin
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001856:Bone Marrow Examination; D016465:Bone Marrow Purging; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000637:transplantation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents