T-Cell Receptor Gene Rearrangements for Leukemia

Test Includes:
DNA probe to the T-cell receptor beta-chain constant region

Special Instructions:
Whole blood, bone marrow, lymph node, or other tissue

Specimen:
7 mL whole blood or 2 cc bone marrow or 0.5-1 g tissue

Volume:
3 mL whole blood

Container:
Whole blood or bone marrow in lavender-stopper (EDTA) tubes, lymph node or tissue in lymph node transport bottle

Collection:
The specimen should arrive in the laboratory within 48 hours of collection. Please state the date and time of collection on the test request form.

Storage:
Maintain specimen at room temperature.

Causes for Rejection:
Specimen frozen; specimen in formalin or another fixative; clotted specimen; hemolysis; blood more than 72 hours old; bone marrow aspirates older than 5 days

Use:
Determine the clonality and lineage of suspected neoplastic lymphoid cell populations by detecting gene rearrangements that occur normally during the maturation of lymphoid cells into T-lymphocytes

Methodology:
Southern blot hybridization