The use of PCR technology for detecting minimal residual disease in patients with leukemia.
The study of minimal residual disease (MRD) aims to understand the biology and clinical significance of leukemia that persists in patients who are in complete pathologic remission. The detection of MRD most consistently has been associated with subsequent relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), t(15;17) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) following marrow transplantation. However, in several settings, MRD has been detected in patients enjoying long-term remission. The study of MRD is thus evolving from identifying patients at high risk of relapse to explaining how leukemia can persist for years in an otherwise "cured" patient.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA 98109-1024, USA. jradich@fhcrc.org
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JP
Radich
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm