MULTIPLE-MYELOMA AND THE TRANSLOCATION T(11-14)(Q13-Q32) - A REPORT ON 13 CASES

Complex cytogenetic abnormalities have been described in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). To better understand the significance of the m ost frequent translocation observed in MM, rye studied the clinical ch aracteristics of patients with MM and the t(11;14)(q13:q32) abnormalit y. A search of the cytogenetic database at the Mayo Clinic identified patients with MM and t(11:14)(q13;q32). The medical records were revie wed for the clinical characteristics of these patients. We identified 13 patients with MM and t(11;14)(q13;q32) determined by standard cytog enetic analysis; in 10 patients the abnormality was detected at the ti me of relapse (three with previously normal results of cytogenetic exa mination). At the time the translocation was detected, plasma cell (PC ) leukaemia was clinically diagnosed in two patients. The median numbe r of circulating PCs, as determined by the cytoplasmic immunofluoresce nce of T-cell-depleted peripheral blood mononuclear cells, was 1.1 x 1 0(9)/l (mean 1.74; range 0.0017-6.26 x 10(9)/l). On linear regression analysis there was a strong correlation between the number of circulat ing PCs and the number of bone marrow PCs. The median survival after d emonstration of the translocation was 8.1 months. Of all patients, 10 died of disease progression and three were alive. Patients with MM who have t(11:14)(q13;q32) seem to have an aggressive clinical course, ev en when the abnormality is detected at the time of diagnosis, with evi dence of many circulating PCs.