Quantitation of minimal residual disease in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia using locked nucleic acid-modified, fluorescently labeled hybridization probes and real-time PCR technology.
BACKGROUND
The knowledge of biological characteristics of minimal residual disease (MRD) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) remains sparse. There are no data available on what level of MRD might be 'safe' without an overt risk of relapse, or whether any such level exists at all. To address this issue in prospective studies, we have developed a quantitative molecular approach to monitor MRD in CLL, which allows the malignant clone to be traced with far higher sensitivity than possible with the techniques available currently.


METHODS
To quantify MRD in CLL patients, a novel locked nucleic acid (LNA)-RNA-based quantitative real-time PCR technique was developed. Clone-specific assays were prepared for 62 CLL patients. Thirty patients were followed up molecularly for a median of 250 days (range 69-570 days). All patients were administered chemo/immunotherapy.


RESULTS
In three patients, molecular negativity was achieved, as estimated by LNA-based assays. In one patient, a sustained molecular negativity was established by chemo/immunotherapy and the patient remains molecularly negative (322 days). The LNA-based assay enabled us to evaluate MRD in a reproducible manner with the sensitivity of 10(-7).


CONCLUSIONS
LNA-RNA-based quantitative real-time PCR is an effective approach for MRD monitoring with the potential for increased sensitivity compared with standard DNA-based assays used for molecular follow-up.
Peková
Sona
S
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Hematology and Immunology, Na Homolce Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic. sona.pekova@homolka.cz
Bezdícková
Ludmila
L
Smolej
Lukás
L
Kozák
Tomás
T
Hochová
Ivana
I
Zák
Pavel
P
Tomsíková
Lucie
L
Průcha
Miroslav
M
D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051746:ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D051746:ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1