Molecular methods are emerging as important tools for diagnosis and therapy
of patients with leukemia. First, the development of conventional Southern
blot analysis has facilitated the detection of rearrangements in immunoglobulin
and T-cell receptor genes. Moreover, many chimeric genes involved in balanced
translocation have identified significant classifications of leukemia patients
by cytogenetic techniques such fluorescent in situ hybridization(FISH)
and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). These techniques
provide an advantage in monitoring minimal residual disease(MRD). Furthermore,
recent gene expression analysis with quantitative PCR assays such as real-time
PCR have developed the early diagnosis and monitoring of MRD. These molecular-based
diagnoses have contributed to the clinical decision-making process in the
diagnosis of leukemia.
[Rinsho Byori 50 : 745〜752, 2002 ]
*Division of Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Medicine, Tohoku
University, School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8574
【Key Words】leukemia(白血病)，molecular diagnosis(遺伝子診断)，minimal residual disease：MRD(微小残存病変)，quantitative PCR(定量 PCR)，multiplex PCR(マルチプレックス PCR)，chimerism(キメリズム)
*東北大学大学院医学研究科病態制御学講座分子診断学分野(〒980-8574 仙台市青葉区星陵町1-1)
E-mail :tfunato@mail.cc.tohoku.ac.jp