Molecular methods for monitoring malignant disease after bone marrow transplantation.

Significant progress has been made over the past few years in the characterization of genetic defects responsible for the development of leukemia. In addition to contributing to our understanding of the biology of malignancy, defined genetic lesions may serve as markers of the abnormal cells. Such markers are useful for diagnostic purposes and for the detection of residual malignancy in patients after therapy or as contamination in peripheral blood or bone marrow harvests. In particular, detection of tumor-specific lesions or other tumor-associated markers by the techniques of cell and molecular biology has prompted a reevaluation of the definitions of remission and relapse.