TEL/AML1 and immunoreceptor gene rearrangements—which comes first?
Abstract
TEL/AML1 fusion gene is present in 20–25% of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemias. In order to unravel at which stage of B-cell precursor development the fusion is originated, we analysed frequency and pattern of immunoreceptor (immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor) gene rearrangements in 47 TEL/AML1-positive and 43 TEL/AML1-negative cases of the same CD10+ immunophenotype. Moreover, we compared corresponding immunoreceptor gene rearrangements in 11 cases of TEL/AML1-positive leukaemia at diagnosis and relapse. More mature immunogenotype of TEL/AML1-positive cases and changes in 37% of rearrangements between diagnosis and relapse suggest that in most cases the TEL/AML1 fusion is formed during immunoreceptor gene rearrangement process.
Keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, TEL/AML1, Immunoglobulin, T-cell receptor, Rearrangement, Relapse
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PII: S0145-2126(04)00392-3
doi:10.1016/j.leukres.2004.11.007
© 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
