Minimal residual disease quantification by PCR in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

ln Belgium approximately 70 children are diagnosed with acute Iymphoblastic leukaemia annually. For these children, the monitoring of minimal residual disease has an important prognostic value. The level of minimal residual disease during the first three months of therapy is used to recognise subgroups that differ substantially in outcome. Two techniques are used for minimal residual disease monitoring: the Genescan method and the allele specifie oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction. The Genescan method is a less sensitive method (10-3) but is fast and less expensive. The allele specifie oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction requires more time and budget but has a sensitivity of 10-4-10-5• Both techniques have proven their value in minimal residual disease monitoring in childhood acute Iymphoblastic leukaemia.