Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: correlation with clinical stage

Abstract

A search for a correlation between the clinical stage of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and the pattern of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements was undertaken. DNA samples from the leukaemic cells of 38 CLL patients were analysed by Southern blot hybridization. Using probes for the immunoglobulin heavy chain J (JH) and C mu regions a marked heterogeneity of the hybridization patterns was observed in both regions. The number of JH hybridization bands varied from one to four and more than two were found in 58% of the patients. In 42% of the patients no germline JH genes were found. One to three additional C mu bands were observed in 34%, but the germline was preserved in all samples. There was no correlation between the clinical stage and the number of hybridizing JH bands; however, a significant correlation was found between the loss of JH germline band or a C mu multiband pattern and advanced stage of the disease. The genetic events in the immunoglobulin genes observed in advanced CLL patients are assumed to result from clonal evolution and tumour progression.

PRAD1, a candidate BCL1 oncogene: mapping and expression in centrocytic lymphoma.

“…3). As expected from the reported rarity of such rearrangements in CLL, DLCL, and follicular lymphomas (15,19,43), no BCLI rearrangements were detectable in any of the noncentrocytic tissues for which DNA was available (10 of 13 specimens). In addition, none of these tissues nor the centrocytic lymphomas contained DNA rearrangements detectable with the PRAD1 cDNA probe (data not shown).…”

Epidemiology and ethnic aspects of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia in Israel

“…DNA extracted from peripheral blood cells was digested with the restriction endonuclease HindIII, hybridized to 32 P-labeled gene probes and studied autoradiographically as described previously. 15 …”

Four aged siblings with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

“…The B-CLL of patient AZ without detectable Ig light chain expression was found to consist of two clones: a major clone with monoallelic Ig gene rearrangement and germline Ig genes, which probably corresponds with the monoclonal Ig / serum component and a minor clone with biallelic Ig deletions and germ-2064 Only a few cases of biclonality in B-CLL have been described previously. 33,34 Southern blot multiband patterns in B-CLL are assumed to be associated with RAI III and IV stages and to predict a poor outcome. 34 However, our two patients with biclonal B-CLL, aged 91 and 82, are likely to have stage 0 or I.…”

“…33,34 Southern blot multiband patterns in B-CLL are assumed to be associated with RAI III and IV stages and to predict a poor outcome. 34 However, our two patients with biclonal B-CLL, aged 91 and 82, are likely to have stage 0 or I. Considering their age and the time since diagnosis, they are in relatively good health, indicating low morbidity of their illness.…”