FMS HEMIZYGOSITY IN MYELOID DYSPLASIA AND ACUTE MYELOID-LEUKEMIA WITHCHROMOSOMAL ABERRATION DEL(5)(Q) DEMONSTRATED BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

Interstitial deletions of the long arm of chromosome 5 del(5)(q), are recurring aberrations in the myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloi d leukemia. Several genes located in region (5)(q23-34) have been impl icated as being of pathogenic importance. In this study seven samples of six patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukem ia who have the del(5)(q) aberration were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot technique. FMS hemizygosity was demo nstrated in all patients. PCR analysis from peripheral blood samples c onfirmed the observations of this aberration found by semiquantitative Southern blot. PCR-based analysis can be used for primary diagnosis i n addition to cytogenetic evaluation and for follow-up in patients wit h del(5)(q) aberration.