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Additional evidence of genetic changes in children with ALL and TEL/AML1 fusion gene

Leukemia volume 16, pages 1873–1875 (2002)Cite this article

The t(12;21)(p13;q22) translocation has been identified as the most frequent chromosomal abnormality in childhood B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) occurring in 20–25% of childhood ALL.1,2 The result of this translocation is the TEL-AML1 (ETV6-CBFA2) fusion gene detected only by FISH and/or by RT-PCR. The precise role of this event in leukemogenesis has not been completely elucidated thus far. According to Wiemels et al,3 the TEL-AML1 gene fusion is shown to have originated in the prenatal period based on detecting TEL-AML1 fusion sequence in identical twins and in neonatal blood spot of children with ALL.4 However, the latency between the birth and the onset of leukemia clearly demonstrates the need for important secondary and post-natal events in the promotion of ALL with TEL-AML1 fusion. Many secondary chromosomal changes have since been described in association with TEL-AML1 fusion. Deletion of the other TEL allele is most frequently encountered. The duplication of the fusion gene is rare but has been recognized as the presence of additional der(21)t(12;21)(5,6) or ider(21)(q10)t(12;21) (p12;q22).7

We present our observation of a duplication of the TEL/AML1 fusion gene at the time of diagnosis in childhood ALL as a further contribution to secondary changes in TEL/AML1-positive ALL patients. We would also point out that different pathways exist by which it may arise.

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References

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grant IGA CR No. NE 6188–3/2000.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital, Olomouc, Czech Republic

    M Jarošová, M Holzerova, I Lakomá, Z Pikalová & K Indrák

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Olomouc, Czech Republic

    V Mihál

  3. Department of Children Hematology, University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic

    J Blatnŷ

  4. Department of 2nd Department of Pediatrics, 2nd Medical School, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

    J Trka & O Hrušák

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  1. M Jarošová
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Jarošová, M., Holzerova, M., Mihál, V. et al. Additional evidence of genetic changes in children with ALL and TEL/AML1 fusion gene. Leukemia 16, 1873–1875 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2402589

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