title: Molecular biology strategies to detect residual disease.
abstract: The prognostic significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) has been demonstrated for a variety of hematologic malignancies. PCR based assays are among the most important methods for identifying MRD. They are aimed at detecting genetic abnormalities of residual  leukemic cells with high specificity and sensitivity and represent an important diagnostic tool to assess the quality of therapeutic response, for clinical risk assessment, and for clinical management. In the present review technical aspects of different MRD detection methods are discussed  which depend on the available targets regularly present in the respective leukemia type and subtype. As such fusion transcripts, gene mutations, and clonal rearrangements of antigen-receptor genes may be available for detection. Emphasis is given on discussing benefits and limitations of MRD  detection and quantification in CML, AML and ALL.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biology Department, Laboratorios Clínicos de Puebla, and School of Health Sciences, Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla, México. jgarces@clinicaruiz.com
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garcés-Eisele
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005819:Genetic Markers