GENOMIC PCR DETECTS TUMOR-CELLS IN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD FROM PATIENTS WITH MYXOID LIPOSARCOMA

Myxoid liposarcoma (MLS) is the most common subtype of liposarcoma The cytogenetic hallmark of MLS is the pathognomonic t(12;16)(q13;p11), p resent in more than 85% of cases, The translocation leads to the fusio n of the CHOP and FUS genes at 12q13 and 16p11, respectively, and the generation of a FUS/CHOP hybrid protein. The presence of a tumor-speci fic chimeric gene makes it possible to identify MLS cells by polymeras e chain reaction (PCR), We have analyzed peripheral blood samples obta ined during a 10-year period at diagnosis of primary and/or recurrent disease in 19 MLS patients with t(12;16) and in one MLS patient with t ( 12;22;20), resulting in the fusion of the CHOP and EWS genes. Nested PCR on genomic DNA from blood samples amplified FUS/CHOP hybrid fragm ents in three patients and EWS/CHOP in the patient with t(12;22;20). T here was no obvious association between PCR findings and clinical outc ome, but larger series are needed to draw any firm conclusions. (C) 19 96 Wiley-Liss, Inc.