CHROMOSOME-STUDIES IN ADULT T-CELL LEUKEMIA IN JAPAN - SIGNIFICANCE OF TRISOMY-7

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 58  (3) , 420-425
Abstract
Chromosomes were studied in cells from 15 Japanese patients with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). Mitoses were obtained from unstimulated peripheral blood in 12 patients and a lymph node in 1 patient. In 2 other patients mitotic cells were obtained from peripheral blood stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Chromosomally abnormal cells were seen in 14 of the 15 patients. The abnormal cells had a modal number of chromosomes in near diploid range in 12 patients and in near triploid and tetraploid range in 2 patients. Eight of the 9 patients analyzed by Q-banding had clonal chromosome abnormalities. The most common abnormality was trisomy no. 7 or 7q, which was seen in 5 cases and has been primarily observed in lymphoid neoplasms. A 14q+ marker chromosome was found in 2 patients and a Dq+ in 1 patient; loss of a sex chromosome was found in 3 patients. Most chromosomes were involved in gains, losses or structural rearrangements but abnormalities of no. 11, frequently found in lymphoid malignancies, were not observed. The significance of these chromosome abnormalities is discussed.