LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Trisomy 13 in a Case of Acute Promyelocytic L e u k e m i a Acute promyelocytic leukemia (FAB type M3) is a distinct subtype of acute n o n l y m p h o c y t i c leukemia with typical clinical and cytologic features w h i c h allow the definitive diagnosis of the disease. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is associated with n o n r a n d o m structural chromosome rearrangement: a translocation (15;17) [1]. Recently, Mertens et al [2] reported the first case of APL associated with trisomy 13 as the sole cytogenetic abnormality. We describe such a case in a 68-year-old w o m a n classified u n d e r M3 type of AML. The hematologic findings were: hemoglobin value 110 g/L, platelet count 41000/ram 3, white blood cell count (WBC) 2100/mm3; a bone marrow
Figure 1
aspirate revealed 27% of promyelocytes. The bone marrow contained m o n o m o r p h i c cells w h i c h has been characterized as promyelocytes with or without Auer rods. The promyelocytes were found h y p o g r a n u l a r according to Mertens et al., case 3 [2]. Staining with both S u d a n B and myeloperoxydase were positive. Granulocytes were rare and megacaryocytes were present. Cytogenetic analysis was performed at this time. Retinoic acid treatment was began in August 1990. The patient died in November 1990 of cardiac insufficiency. Chromosome b a n d i n g patterns were obtained after bone marrow aspirates, using a 24- or 48-hour culture and RHG
Metaphase spread showing trisomy 13 (arrows).
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206 Cancer Genet Cytogenet 62:206-207 (1992) 0165-4608/92/$05.00
© 1992 Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc. 655 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10010
T r i s o m y 13 in APL
207
banding. A total of 10 metaphases were analyzed. The karyotype was 46,XX/47,XX, ÷ 13 (5 mitosis/5 mitosis, respectively) (Fig. 1). We reported the second case of trisomy 13 as the sole acquired karyotypic a b n o r m a l i t y associated wih the APL.
C. VALTAT
F. UETTWILLER
Unit~ de G6n~tique CHUR Bretonneau Tours Laboratoire de cytog~n~tique CHU Hautepierre Strasbourg
N. NADAL, F. OBERLING~
Service d'Oncoh~matologie CHU Hautepierre Strasbourg
REFERENCES
1. Rowley JD, Golomb HM, Dougherhy C (1977): 15/17 translocation, a consistent chromosome change in APL (letter) Lancet i:549. 2. Mertens F, Sallerfors B, Heim S, Johansson B, Kristoffersson U, Malm C, Mitelman F (1991) Trisomy 13 as primary chromosome aberration in acute leukemia. Cancer Genet Cytogenet 56:39-44.
Figure 1
aspirate revealed 27% of promyelocytes. The bone marrow contained m o n o m o r p h i c cells w h i c h has been characterized as promyelocytes with or without Auer rods. The promyelocytes were found h y p o g r a n u l a r according to Mertens et al., case 3 [2]. Staining with both S u d a n B and myeloperoxydase were positive. Granulocytes were rare and megacaryocytes were present. Cytogenetic analysis was performed at this time. Retinoic acid treatment was began in August 1990. The patient died in November 1990 of cardiac insufficiency. Chromosome b a n d i n g patterns were obtained after bone marrow aspirates, using a 24- or 48-hour culture and RHG
Metaphase spread showing trisomy 13 (arrows).
L --)
Q ~i~!¸¸ ii~ D
206 Cancer Genet Cytogenet 62:206-207 (1992) 0165-4608/92/$05.00
© 1992 Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc. 655 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10010
T r i s o m y 13 in APL
207
banding. A total of 10 metaphases were analyzed. The karyotype was 46,XX/47,XX, ÷ 13 (5 mitosis/5 mitosis, respectively) (Fig. 1). We reported the second case of trisomy 13 as the sole acquired karyotypic a b n o r m a l i t y associated wih the APL.
C. VALTAT
F. UETTWILLER
Unit~ de G6n~tique CHUR Bretonneau Tours Laboratoire de cytog~n~tique CHU Hautepierre Strasbourg
N. NADAL, F. OBERLING~
Service d'Oncoh~matologie CHU Hautepierre Strasbourg
REFERENCES
1. Rowley JD, Golomb HM, Dougherhy C (1977): 15/17 translocation, a consistent chromosome change in APL (letter) Lancet i:549. 2. Mertens F, Sallerfors B, Heim S, Johansson B, Kristoffersson U, Malm C, Mitelman F (1991) Trisomy 13 as primary chromosome aberration in acute leukemia. Cancer Genet Cytogenet 56:39-44.
