ANALYSIS OF CLONALITY IN T-LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISEASES BY MULTIPLEX PCR

Distinction between benign and malignant T-cell lymphoproliferative di seases can be difficult using morphological criteria. Using multiplex polymerase chain reaction system we have tested a series of patients w ith various lymphoproliferative disorders to detect clonal T- lymphocy te populations. Results show that clonal amplification products were o btained from all 10 patients with T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders while the amplification of DNA samples from B-cell neoplasms and norm al individuals revealed polyclonal amplification products. By splittin g the multiplex primer mix, the patient specific T-cell receptor gamma rearrangement was determined: five out of ten patients showed the exc lusive presence of a single T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement. Three patients exhibited two rearranged T-cell receptor gamma genes, w hile in two patients positive reactions were obtained with three pairs of primers for variable and joining segments. Molecular analysis of r earranged T-cell receptor genes by multiplex polymerase chain reaction represents a useful and rapid tool for confirming diagnosis, to deter mine the extent of disease and to monitor the response to therapy.