Abstract: Methods and compositions for monitoring the presence of minimal residual hematopoietic tumor cells, such as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells, in remission cells of a patient. The invention relates to using nucleic acid hybridization probes to detect alteration of tal-1 locus on chromosome 1 from a DNA extract to confirm the presence of residual T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells in the patient. Methods to quantitate the amount of hematopoietic cells are described. Kits for detecting and monitoring hematopoietic tumor cells in a patient are provided. Kits for quantitating hematopoietic tumor cells in a patient in remission are also provided.

Abstract: Murine monoclonal antibodies specific to unique antigenic determinants on mammalian terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferases (TdT). The monoclonal antibodies specifically bind to TdT in a wide variety of mammalian cells including human, mouse, rat, rabbit and bovine origin. The monoclonal antibodies are secreted by hybridoma cell lines derived from fusion of murine plasmacytoma cells with splenocytes from mice immunized with TdT from bovine thymus cells. The monoclonal antibodies can detect small numbers of TdT-positive cells from monitoring of TdT-positive leukemias and lymphomas in multple species, including human.

Abstract: Murine monoclonal antibodies specific to unique antigenic determinants on mammalian terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferases (TdT). The monoclonal antibodies specifically bind to TdT in a wide variety of mammalian cells including human, mouse, rat, rabbit and bovine origin. The monoclonal antibodies are secreted by hybridoma cells derived from fusion of murine plasmacytoma cells with splenocytes from mice immunized with TdT from bovine thymus cells. The monoclonal antibodies can detect small numbers of TdT-positive cells for monitoring of TdT-positive leukemias and lymphomas in multiple species, including human.

Abstract: A chemical agent is provided for significantly preventing or blocking non-specific staining or binding of an antibody specific for Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase (TdT) during immunofluorescent or immunoperoxidase assay procedures. These procedures include both immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical staining of samples followed by flow cytometric and/or microscopic analysis, respectively. The invention is practiced by selective use of casein introduced into the assay procedures at an appropriate interval prior to analysis using a labelled or tagged monoclonal antibody specific to a TdT epitope. The casein utilized successfully was obtained from a large variety of sources and includes the use of a non-fat milk product.