SENSITIVE NONRADIOACTIVE PCR DETECTION OF CLONAL T-CELL RECEPTOR-GAMMA GENE REARRANGEMENTS IN CHILDHOOD ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC-LEUKEMIA

Rearrangement of the T-cell receptor gamma (TCR gamma) gene potentiall y provides a valuable target for monitoring minimal residual leukaemia by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). However. existing strategies directed at this locus frequently lack sensitivity or specificity, We describe a novel PCR strategy for improved detection of clonal TCR gam ma gene rearrangements based on the design of two overlapping clone-sp ecific reverse PCR primers spanning the TCR gamma junctional region, w hich are used sequentially in conjunction with forward V-region specif ic primers. Unlike other strategies, specificity is generated from the initial and subsequent round of PCR amplification, This non-radioacti ve technique is highly specific and sensitive, and should prove effect ive for monitoring minimal residual leukaemia.