Interpretation
Clonal populations of cells yield one (monoclonal), two (clonal) or more (oligoclonal) prominent amplicons within a specified size range. A normal (polyclonal) population of T cells will produce a polyclonal smear representing a heterogeneous population and, if graphed, would resemble a bell-shaped Gaussian curve.
Test Method
Gene rearrangement and clonality are detected by PCR using primers for the V and J regions of the T-cell receptor gamma (TRG) gene.
Limit of Detection of Assay: ranges from 1 abnormal cell in 20 cells (in dense regions of the smear) to 1 abnormal cell in 100 cells (in less dense regions).
Paraffin-embedded tissue may, or may not, yield DNA of a suitable quality or quantity for this assay and may be reported as Insufficient.
Urgent testing by arrangement.
