title: Analysis of clonality in T-lymphoproliferative diseases by multiplex PCR.
abstract: Distinction between benign and malignant T-cell lymphoproliferative diseases can be difficult using morphological criteria. Using multiplex polymerase chain reaction system we have tested a series of patients with various lymphoproliferative disorders to detect clonal T-lymphocyte populations. Results show that clonal amplification products were obtained from all 10 patients with T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders while the amplification of DNA samples from B-cell neoplasms and normal individuals revealed polyclonal amplification products. By splitting the multiplex primer mix, the patient specific T-cell receptor gamma rearrangement was determined: five out of ten patients showed the exclusive presence of a single T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement. Three patients exhibited two rearranged T-cell receptor gamma genes, while in two patients positive reactions were obtained with three pairs of primers for variable and joining segments. Molecular analysis of rearranged T-cell receptor genes by multiplex polymerase chain reaction represents a useful and rapid tool for confirming diagnosis, to determine the extent of disease and to monitor the response to therapy.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Institute of Laboratory Diagnosis, Zagreb University School of Medicine and Clinical Hospital Center, Croatia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zadro
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sucić
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aurer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Metelko-Kovacević
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Labar
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rukavina
mesh_terms: D015329:Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*