Detection of chromosomal translocations in leukemia-lymphoma cells by polymerase chain reaction.

In recent years many chromosomal translocations involved in leukemia and lymphoma have been defined at the molecular level In addition to advancing the understanding of pathobiological mechanisms underlying the transformation process, the cloning and sequencing of the genes altered by the translocations have provided new tools for diagnosis and monitoring of patients. In particular, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodology yields rapid, sensitive and accurate diagnostic and prognostic information. As leukemias carrying certain translocations confer a higher risk of treatment failure, it is important to identify accurately all positive cases in order to give appropriate therapy. An important new initiative in the diagnostical setting and anti-leukemic therapy is the early (detection of minimal residual disease (MRD). If MRD, implying an increased risk of relapse, is reliably detected during apparent clinical remission, alternative strategies could be applied early while the malignant cell burden is ...