Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach for the evaluation of minimal residual disease in acute leukemia

Abstract

Evaluation of minimal residual disease (MRD) in different forms of acute leukemias is an expanding field of experimental hematology. Several strategies and techniques, including cytomorphology, immunophenotype and karyotype, have been applied to evaluate MRD, but molecular biology has provided more sensitive and accurate tools to detect the neoplastic clones. This concise review summarizes some of the technical aspects and pitfalls associated with different molecular approaches such as the analysis of clonospecific DNA sequences in lymphoid malignancies and the demonstration of chimeric genomic products generated by chromosomal translocations. The feasibility, specificity and clinical relevance of all these studies will be briefly discussed.

Primer on Medical Genomics Part II: Background Principles and Methods in Molecular Genetics

“…Because of the rapidity of the assay and the small amount of test sample needed (nanogram quantities), PCR is an extremely useful and efficient method of genetic testing in disease diagnosis, monitoring of treatment response, detection of minimal residual disease, and tissue typing. 156,[161][162][163][164] Furthermore, the ability to extract DNA from various biological samples combined with PCR technology has substantially affected both forensic medicine and archeological studies. [165][166][167][168] However, the extreme sensitivity of PCR makes it vulnerable to the possibility of false-positive test results due to trace amounts of contaminants.…”

Genomics Basics: DNA Structure, Gene Expression, Cloning, Genetic Mapping, and Molecular Tests

“…84 The rapidity of the PCR assay as well as the small amount of test sample needed (nanogram quantities) makes PCR a very useful and efficient method of genetic testing in disease diagnosis, monitoring of treatment response, detection of minimal residual disease, and tissue typing. [84][85][86][87][88] Furthermore, the ability to extract DNA from a variety of biological samples combined with PCR technology has made a major impact on both forensic medicine and archeological studies. [89][90][91][92]…”