Improved reliability of lymphoma diagnostics via PCR-based clonality testing: report of the BIOMED-2 Concerted Action BHM4-CT98-3936.
The diagnosis of malignant lymphoma is a recognized difficult area in histopathology. Therefore, detection of clonality in a suspected lymphoproliferation is a valuable diagnostic criterion. We have developed primer sets for the detection of rearrangements in the B- and T-cell receptor genes as reliable tools for clonality assessment in lymphoproliferations suspected for lymphoma. In this issue of Leukemia, the participants of the BIOMED-2 Concerted Action CT98-3936 report on the validation of the newly developed clonality assays in various disease entities. Clonality was detected in 99% of all B-cell malignancies and in 94% of all T-cell malignancies, whereas the great majority of reactive lesions showed polyclonality. The combined BIOMED-2 results are summarized in a guideline, which can now be implemented in routine lymphoma diagnostics. The use of this standardized approach in patients with a suspect lymphoproliferation will result in improved diagnosis of malignant lymphoma.
van Krieken
J H J M
JH
Department of Pathology, UMC St Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Langerak
A W
AW
Macintyre
E A
EA
Kneba
M
M
Hodges
E
E
Sanz
R Garcia
RG
Morgan
G J
GJ
Parreira
A
A
Molina
T J
TJ
Cabeçadas
J
J
Gaulard
P
P
Jasani
B
B
Garcia
J F
JF
Ott
M
M
Hannsmann
M L
ML
Berger
F
F
Hummel
M
M
Davi
F
F
Brüggemann
M
M
Lavender
F L
FL
Schuuring
E
E
Evans
P A S
PA
White
H
H
Salles
G
G
Groenen
P J T A
PJ
Gameiro
P
P
Pott
Ch
Ch
Dongen
J J M van
JJ
D005188:False Negative Reactions; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell