Nc. Gutierrez et al., Differences in genetic changes between multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia demonstrated by comparative genomic hybridization, LEUKEMIA, 15(5), 2001, pp. 840-845
To analyze the genomic differences between multiple myeloma (MM) and plasma
cell leukemia (PCL), a total of 30 cases were studied by comparative genom
ic hybridization (CGH). In five cases with a low proportion of plasma cells
(PC) in bone marrow, an enrichment of PC was performed by using immunomagn
etic beads conjugated with the monoclonal antibody 8-84. In 24 out of the 2
5 MM (96%) and in all five PCL (100%) patients DNA copy number changes were
identified by CGH analysis; in the NIM case without chromosomal imbalances
, the immunomagnetic enrichment of PC had failed. The most recurrent change
s in MM patients were gains at chromosomes 15q (48%), 11q (44%), 3q (40%),
9q (40%) and 1q (36%). By contrast, all PCL patients showed gains in Iq. Lo
sses of chromosomal material were significantly more frequent in PCL than i
n MM patients (P = 0,03): losses on 13q in 80% of PCL vs 28% of MM; and on
chromosome 16 in 80% vs 12%, respectively. In addition, PCL patients showed
losses of 2q and 60 that were not present in MM. The CGH data show differe
nces in chromosomal imbalances between MM and PCL.