Detection and quantification of MBR/JH2 t(14;18) BCL-2 gene rearrangement in follicular lymphoma using a combined real-time polymerase chain reaction assay.
We obtained 100 consecutive peripheral blood samples from 30 FL cases and conducted molecular studies using two separate semi-nested PCRs for MBR and mcr rearrangements.
A total of 116 patients (male:female ratio 64:52; median age: 52 years) with indolent FL and BCL-2 rearrangement (at MBR or mcr breakpoints) assessable in peripheral blood (pb) by PCR prior to treatment, and with two or more PCR determinations during the first year, were selected for the present study.