Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach for the evaluation of minimal residual disease in acute leukemia.
Evaluation of minimal residual disease (MRD) in different forms of acute leukemias is an expanding field of experimental hematology. Several strategies and techniques, including cytomorphology, immunophenotype and karyotype, have been applied to evaluate MRD, but molecular biology has provided more sensitive and accurate tools to detect the neoplastic clones. This concise review summarizes some of the technical aspects and pitfalls associated with different molecular approaches such as the analysis of clonospecific DNA sequences in lymphoid malignancies and the demonstration of chimeric genomic products generated by chromosomal translocations. The feasibility, specificity and clinical relevance of all these studies will be briefly discussed.
Clinica Pediatrica Universitá di Milano, Monza, Italy.
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Biondi
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Rambaldi
D000208:Acute Disease; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D000071156:Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000235:genetics; D000072482:Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D000071156:Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein; C000607071:RARA protein, human; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D000072482:Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C070576:PML protein, human