A translocation t(8;14) and c-myc gene rearrangement associated with the histological transformation of B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (FAB-L2) into Burkitt's type (FAB-L3) leukemia

Leuk Lymphoma. 1997 Oct;27(3-4):357-63. doi: 10.3109/10428199709059691.

Abstract

We report a case of B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia which showed histological transformation from an FAB-L2 into a Burkitt's type (FAB-L3). Both leukemias had identical immunoglobulin heavy-chain joining gene and kappa light-chain joining gene rearrangements, indicating the clonal identity of the two leukemias. A chromosomal analysis of leukemia cells on the onset indicated normal karyotype, whereas that of the transformed FAB-L3 showed t(8;14)(q24;q32). Furthermore, the proto-oncogene c-myc was in the germline configuration in the initial leukemia but in the rearranged configuration after transformation. Presence of t(8;14)(q24;q32) and the c-myc gene rearrangement after transformation suggested that the chromosomal translocation followed by the activation of the c-myc proto-oncogene might be involved in the Burkitt's type transformation of the FAB-L2 leukemic clone, but not in the leukemogenesis of the initial FAB-L2 leukemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / genetics*
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / pathology
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Rearrangement*
  • Genes, Immunoglobulin
  • Genes, T-Cell Receptor
  • Genes, myc*
  • Genome, Viral
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Humans
  • Karyotyping
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Translocation, Genetic*