Journal Article

The EuroChimerism concept for a standardized approach to chimerism analysis after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Colnaghi, F, Preuner, S, de Vries, L, de Weger, R, Roosnek, E, van Loon, J, van Dongen, J J M, Acquaviva, C, Lawler, M, Tilanus, M, Biondi, A, Hermanson, M, Kreyenberg, H, Frommlet, F, Alcoceba, M, Saglio, B, Harvey, J, Barbany, G, Steward, C, Watzinger, F, Serra, A, Crampe, M, Gonzalez, M, Lion, T, van der Burg, M, Cavé, H, Bader, P

2012

Overview

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is becoming an increasingly important approach to treatment of different malignant and non-malignant disorders. There is thus growing demand for diagnostic assays permitting the surveillance of donor/recipient chimerism posttransplant. Current techniques are heterogeneous, rendering uniform evaluation and comparison of diagnostic results between centers difficult. Leading laboratories from 10 European countries have therefore performed a collaborative study supported by a European grant, the EuroChimerism Concerted Action, with the aim to develop a standardized diagnostic methodology for the detection and monitoring of chimerism in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Following extensive analysis of a large set of microsatellite/short tandem repeat (STR) loci, the EuroChimerism (EUC) panel comprising 13 STR markers was established with the aim to optimally meet the specific requirements of quantitative chimerism analysis. Based on highly stringent selection criteria, the EUC panel provides multiple informative markers in any transplant setting. The standardized STR-PCR tests permit detection of donor- or recipient-derived cells at a sensitivity ranging between 0.8 and 1.6%. Moreover, the EUC assay facilitates accurate and reproducible quantification of donor and recipient hematopoietic cells. Wide use of the European-harmonized protocol for chimerism analysis presented will provide a basis for optimal diagnostic support and timely treatment decisions.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: 631/67/69 / 692/53/2421 / 692/699/67/1990/283/1895 / 692/700/565/545/576/1955 / alleles / Analysis / Biological and medical sciences / Cancer Research / Chimeras (Organisms) / Chimerism / Collaboration / Consortia / Critical Care Medicine / Diagnostic systems / Europe / Genetic Markers / Genetic Testing - methods / Genetic Testing - standards / Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases / Hematology / Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation - standards / Hematopoietic stem cells / Humans / Immunology / Intensive / Internal Medicine / Laboratories / Leukemia / Markers / Medical research / Medical sciences / Medical statistics / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / microsatellites / Oncology / Optimization / original-article / PCR / Pediatrics / Reproducibility of Results / Research centers / Sensitivity and Specificity / short tandem repeats / Stem cell transplantation / Stem cells / Surveillance / Transplantation / Transplantation Chimera - genetics / Transplantation, Homologous