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Incidence and implication of additional chromosome aberrations in acute promyelocytic leukaemia with translocation t(15;17)(q22;q21): a report on 50 patients
Author(s) -
Schoch Claudia,
Haase Detlef,
Haferlach Torsten,
Freund Mathias,
Link Hartmut,
Lengfelder Eva,
Löffler Helmut,
Büchner Thomas,
Fonatsch Christa
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.1996.d01-1829.x
Subject(s) - chromosomal translocation , isochromosome , gastroenterology , chromosome , medicine , incidence (geometry) , philadelphia chromosome , chromosome abnormality , acute promyelocytic leukemia , karyotype , biology , genetics , physics , optics , gene , retinoic acid
Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is characterized by the translocation t(15;17)(q22;q21). Usually t(15;17) is the sole cytogenetic abnormality, but some patients show other chromosome aberrations in addition to t(15;17). The influence of additional chromosome aberrations on the clinical outcome of patients with t(15;17) is unclear. We have analysed 50 cases of APL carrying the translocation t(15;17). Additional chromosome aberrations were observed in 17/47 patients (36%) studied at initial diagnosis and in all three patients studied at relapse. In nine cases (18%) an additional chromosome 8 and in six cases (12%) an isochromosome of the long arm of the derivative chromosome 17 was observed. Various structural rearrangements in addition to t(15;17) were detected in nine patients (18%). Clinical follow‐up data were available for 44 patients studied at diagnosis. A complete remission (CR) was achieved in 34 patients (77%). 10 patients (23%) died within 1 month after diagnosis due to infection or bleeding, eight (24%) relapsed within 10–18 months after initial diagnosis. 28 patients are alive 2–93 months after diagnosis (25 in first CR, two in second and one in third CR) (median follow‐up 18.5 months). Bone marrow transplantation was performed in six patients (three in first CR, two in second CR, one in third CR), all are alive and in CR. An influence of secondary chromosome anomalies on prognosis was not observed. However, if a higher rate of long‐term remission can be reached, specific secondary chromosome aberrations might turn out to be of prognostic value.