Supersensitive detection of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA and neuroblastoma cells by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction
Naito, H.
Hokkaido Journal of Medical Science 66(2): 135-141
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0367-6102 PMID: 1676393 Document Number: 372689
To facilitate the diagnosis of bone marrow metastasis in neuroblastoma, we have developed a method of amplifying and detecting the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA sequence in bone marrow cell, using a combination of reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR). By this method, the sequence was detected clearly in the neuroblastoma tissues of all 6 patients and not detected in the bone marrow cells of any of the 9 negative control children. In a reconstitution experiment, one neuroblastoma cell per 100,000 normal bone marrow cells could be detected, thus indicating the great sensitivity of the method. Based on these results, this technique may be of value in the diagnosis and treatment follow-up of bone marrow metastasis of neuroblastoma.