Recent advances in quantitative chimerism analysis.
Quantitative chimerism analysis is a diagnostic tool used to monitor engraftment kinetics after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. It reflects the proportion of recipient and donor genotypes and is based on the identification of genetic markers characteristic to a given transplant pair. Currently, PCR amplification of short tandem repeats and single-nucleotide polymorphism-specific quantitative real-time PCR are the most widely used techniques for this purpose. In this review, we will address advances as well as technology-specific imperfections, of both techniques that have emerged over the recent years. We will discuss new principles that may simplify assay design, and improve its robustness and reliability. A better chimerism assay could then guide clinical interventions and may, eventually, improve the outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Gineikiene
Egle
E
Department of Molecular and Regenerative Medicine, Hematology, Oncology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Clinics, Santariskiu 2, LT-08661, Vilnius, Lithuania. egle.gineikiene@santa.lt
Stoskus
Mindaugas
M
Griskevicius
Laimonas
L
D000465:Algorithms; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D046528:Chimerism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011247:Pregnancy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000379:methods*
D015415:Biomarkers