We have analysed samples from 20 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia
for microsatellite alterations by comparing constitutional DNA and DN
A from leukaemic samples. Twelve microsatellites were amplified by PCR
and investigated for novel bands, indicative of microsatellite instab
ility, or for loss of heterozygosity. Out of 215 paired amplifications
, no additional bands were observed at any locus in any of the samples
analysed and loss of heterozygosity was found only as four loci from
three patients. These results suggest that microsatellite alterations
are very uncommon in acute myeloid leukaemia.