Strategies and clinical implications of chimerism diagnostics after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Analysis of donor chimerism has become a routine method for the documentation of engraftment after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In recent years several groups have also focused on the application of this technique for the detection of relapsing disease after allogeneic HSCT. This review addresses technical issues ( sensitivity, specificity) and discusses the advantages and limitations of methods currently used for chimerism analysis and their usefulness for the detection of MRD. In addition, the potential impact of novel procedures, e. g. subset chimerism or real-time PCR-based procedures, is discussed. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.