Quantitation of follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cells carrying t(14; 18) in a patient before and after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Summary Background A competitive PCR method was developed, enabling accurate quantitation of residual lymphoma cells carrying the t(14; 18) in blood and bone marrow samples of follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients during treatment. Patients and methods A patient with residual lymphoma cells received an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Since BMT, the patient has been in continuing clinical complete remission. Results Using the competitive PCR and two-step PCR method, we were able to demonstrate a gradual decline in the number of lymphoma cells within consecutive patient blood and bone marrow samples after BMT. Conclusions The competitive PCR is a suitable method for the detection of minimal residual disease. Further research might reveal the clinical relevance of data obtained by this method.