A rapid method for determination of the relative copy number of HTLV-I proviral genome in HTLV-I carriers and adult T-cell leukemia patients by polymerase chain reaction

Ten adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) patients and 11 asymptomatic human T-cell l eukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) carriers were examined by polymerase chain re action (PCR) assay with a reduced sensitivity to evaluate its utility in de tecting the relative copy number of the HTLV-I genome in clinical samples. Differences in the intensities of the PCR products were observed between th e acute type ATL patients and ATL patients in remission or carriers. Intens e bands were found in all acute type ATL patients (6/6, 100%), while specif ic bands were seen in only 2 carriers (2/11, 18.2%). The bands found in one of the two patients in omission were weak. One patient, who had acute type ATL, had achieved a remission but later relapsed. Using this technique, we examined the differences in the intensities of the bands of the PCR produc ts in a patient with acute type ATL who had achieved remission but later re lapsed. Thus, this technique may be of clinical importance in diagnosing ac ute ATL and assessing the effect of therapy.