Detection and monitoring of minimal residual disease by quantitative real-time PCR.
BACKGROUND
The detection of malignant cells by quantitative real-time PCR has become state of the art for diagnosis, monitoring response to treatment and detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with leukemia or lymphoma. In order to be used in high-throughput analyses technical details have to be standardized to improve reproducibility and comparability of quantitative results obtained in different laboratories.


METHODS
Molecular monitoring of disease activity during and after treatment based on the detection of malignant cells in circulation or bone marrow by quantitative real-time PCR will be helpful to develop individualized treatment strategies for every patient.


CONCLUSIONS
The effectiveness of any kind of innovative treatment with specific antibodies, cellular immunotherapy or molecules designed for specific targets of tumor cells can be controlled at a very high level of sensitivity and accuracy. Based on quantitative results indicative for success or treatment failure, therapeutic changes upon the detection of progressive disease at the molecular level can be made even before symptoms or signs of clinical relapse occur. Hopefully, this will lead to higher cure rates and improved long-term survival.
Schüler
Frank
F
Clinic for Internal Medicine C, Hematology/Oncology, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Germany.
Dölken
Gottfried
G
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D001775:Blood Circulation; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D010677:Philadelphia Chromosome; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor