Molecular Monitoring of Low Grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Author Information
Author(s): T.F. Hickish, H. Purvis, J. Mansil, M. Soukop, D. Cunningham
Primary Institution: Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, Surrey; Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Hypothesis
Can polymerase chain reaction (PCR) effectively monitor minimal disease in low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Conclusion
PCR can be used to upstage disease status in low grade lymphoma and monitor treatment response.
Supporting Evidence
- PCR analysis detected malignant cells in approximately 50% of patients when bone marrow histology was negative.
- PCR was able to follow a patient's disease into remission and detect subclinical disease.
- 80% of patients with positive bone marrow histology had positive PCR results.
Takeaway
Doctors can use a special test called PCR to find tiny amounts of cancer in patients with a type of lymphoma, helping them see if the treatment is working.
Methodology
PCR analysis of bone marrow and blood samples was compared to conventional histology in 30 patients.
Limitations
Some patients' primary tumors were unavailable, making it unclear if they had a bcl-2 rearrangement.
Participant Demographics
Patients diagnosed with working formulation category B or C non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
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