DETECTION OF CHROMOSOME-11 ALTERATIONS IN BLOOD AND BONE-MARROW BY INTERPHASE CYTOGENETICS IN MANTLE CELL LYMPHOMA

The t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation is a consistent chromosome change in mantle cell lymphomas. This study investigates the application of f luorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with chromosome painting probe s for interphase cytogenetic analysis in patients with mantle cell lym phomas. Chromosome 11 paints have been able to show splitting of the c hromosome signal consistent with the t(11;14) translocation in interph ase cells from bone marrow and blood of patients with mantle cell lymp homas. These include some in clinical remission. The chromosome probes conjugated with fluorescent molecules are hybridized with patient's D NA allowing the easy detection of chromosome 11 abnormalities with flu orescent-light microscopes. Interphase FISH has a higher sensitivity a nd is quicker than standard metaphase cytogenetics. This may be benefi cial in rapid detection of chromosome 11 abnormalities, assisting in t he diagnosis of mantle cell lymphomas. In addition, detection of a clo nal population of cells is possible.