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Comparative analysis between RQ‐PCR and digital‐droplet‐PCR of immunoglobulin/T‐cell receptor gene rearrangements to monitor minimal residual disease in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Author(s) -
Della Starza Irene,
Nunes Vittorio,
Cavalli Marzia,
De Novi Lucia Anna,
Ilari Caterina,
Apicella Valerio,
Vitale Antonella,
Testi Anna Maria,
Del Giudice Ilaria,
Chiaretti Sabina,
Foà Robin,
Guarini Anna
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/bjh.14082
Subject(s) - minimal residual disease , digital polymerase chain reaction , medicine , polymerase chain reaction , real time polymerase chain reaction , oncology , gene , biology , bone marrow , genetics
Summary Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction ( RQ ‐ PCR ) is a standardized tool for minimal residual disease ( MRD ) monitoring in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia ( ALL ). The applicability of this technology is limited by the need of a standard curve based on diagnostic DNA . The digital droplet PCR (dd PCR ) technology has been recently applied to various medical fields, but its use in MRD monitoring is under investigation. In this study, we analysed 50 ALL cases by both methods in two phases: in the first, we established analytical parameters to investigate the applicability of this new technique; in the second, we analysed MRD levels in 141 follow‐up ( FU ) samples to investigate the possible use of dd PCR for MRD monitoring in ALL patients. We documented that dd PCR has sensitivity and accuracy at least comparable to those of RQ ‐ PCR . Overall, the two methods gave concordant results in 124 of the 141 analysed MRD samples (88%, P = 0·94). Discordant results were found in 12% borderline cases. The results obtained prove that dd PCR is a reliable method for MRD monitoring in ALL , with the advantage of quantifying without the need of the calibration curves. Its application in a cohort of patients with a longer FU will conclusively define its clinical predictive value.