RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement studies are widely used for assessing T-cell clonality. The frequency and significance of clonal peaks restricted to TCR ß (TCRB) tube C are uncertain. We retrospectively reviewed 80 TCR studies performed on bone marrow/peripheral blood. METHODS: TCRB and TCR γ (TCRG) analyses were performed using BIOMED-2 primers. A peak was considered clonal or atypical if it was reproducible and 5× or more or 3× to 5× polyclonal background, respectively. RESULTS: TCRB analysis demonstrated 12 (15%) of 80 cases with one to four isolated peaks in tube C (>3×) with polyclonal pattern in tubes A and B. TCRG analysis was monoclonal in two cases (both definite T-cell neoplasms), polyclonal in four, and oligoclonal in six. Of the 10 cases without clone in TCRG, six had autoimmune disorder and none had T-cell neoplasm. CONCLUSIONS: Peaks restricted to TCRB tube C in the TCR analysis may be misleading, as it is often not indicative of an overt T-cell neoplasm.

Assuntos

Rearranjo Gênico do Linfócito T/genética , Genes Codificadores da Cadeia beta de Receptores de Linfócitos T/genética , Genes Codificadores da Cadeia gama de Receptores de Linfócitos T/genética , Linfoma de Células T/diagnóstico , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Células Clonais , Estudos de Coortes , Primers do DNA/genética , Feminino , Humanos , Linfoma de Células T/genética , Linfoma de Células T/patologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Retrospectivos , Linfócitos T/patologia , Adulto Jovem