Low frequency of BCL-2/J(H) translocation in peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy Japanese individuals

The incidence of follicular lymphoma differs significantly between white an d Japanese individuals. Translocation between the BCL-2 and immunoglobulin heavy chain genes is detected in 85% to 90% of all follicular lymphomas in whites. Recently, BCL-2/J(H) translocation was detected in peripheral blood lymphocytes from more than 50% of healthy white individuals. To clarify th e reason for the difference in incidence of follicular lymphoma between whi tes and Japanese, the frequency of BCL-2/JH translocation in peripheral blo od lymphocytes of healthy Japanese individuals was compared with that of Ge rman individuals. The prevalence of BCL-2/JH translocation in Japanese adul ts appeared to be significantly lower than that in German adults. The prese nt data suggest that the low frequency of BCL-2/J(H) translocation in the J apanese general population may be one of the major reasons for the differen ce in incidence of follicular lymphoma between whites and Japanese. (C) 200 1 by The American Society of Hematology.