Reliable detection of clonal IgH/Bcl2 MBR rearrangement in follicular lymphoma: methodology and clinical significance

Authors: Iqbal S.¹; Jenner M.J.R.²; Summers K.E.¹; Davies A.J.¹; Matthews J.³; Norton A.J.⁴; Calaminici M.⁴; Rohatiner A.Z.³; Fitzgibbon J.¹; Lister T.A.³; Goff L.K.¹

Source: British Journal of Haematology, Volume 124, Number 3, February 2004 , pp. 325-328(4)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

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Abstract:

Summary

The prognostic significance of IgH/Bcl2 rearrangement in follicular lymphoma (FL) remains contentious; polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodology and tissue source variability may account for some inconsistencies. As IgH/Bcl2 major breakpoint region (MBR) sequences may be found in normal blood, an MBR⁺ result by conventional PCR in blood/bone marrow may not indicate FL. To establish tumour MBR status, 190 lymphoid tissue samples with histologically evident FL (and therefore >1% tumour cells) were examined by real-time quantifiable PCR; 50% (95/190) had clonal MBR IgH/Bcl2 (MBR was considered clonal when >1%). Overall survival (median = 11·5 years) of MBR⁺ and MBR^- patients was not significantly different.

Keywords: follicular lymphoma; major breakpoint region; RQ-PCR

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2141.2003.04796.x

Affiliations: 1: Cancer Research UK Medical Oncology Unit, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Charterhouse Square 2: Department of Haematology 3: Department of Medical Oncology 4: Department of Histopathology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London, UK

Publication date: 2004-02-01