The technique of premature chromosome condensation to study the leukemic process: review and speculations

The technique of premature chromosome condensation involves the fusion of mitotic cells with interphase cells resulting in the immediate condensation of the interphase chromatin into discrete chromosome units, the prematurely condensed chromosomes (PCC). The ability to visualize the interphase chromosomes of bone marrow and blood cells by this technique has proved useful in the study of human leukemia. This article describes how the PCC technique has been used to predict clinical outcome as well as gain insight into the biology of leukemia.