THE USE OF FLUORESCENCE IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION 4 ANEUPLOID IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA (AN IMPORTANT PROGNOSTIC FACTOR)

Abstract

ALL is the comnonest form of childhood cancer and represents clonal proliferation of transformed hemopoietic cells as a result of genetic changes.

Chromosome abnormalities are an important prognostic factor in childhood ALL. Recently, a subset of patients with hyperdiploid ALL and trisomy 4 has been reported to have a very favorable event-free survival and so, they can be treated with - less toxic antimetabolite therapy.

' In the current study chromosome 4 detection by FISH technique was done on

20 children suffering from ALL and matched with 10 normal children.

Trisomy 4 was detected in 11 patients (55%) at different frequencies ranging from 7 to 57%. Trisomy 4 was significantly higher in Ll cases when compared to L2 cases. It was also higher in CR patients when compared to relapsed patients.

Thus, FISH represents a simple, rapid, sensitive and specific teclmique that can be used for detection of chromosomal abnormalities in interphase nuclei as well as metaphase spreads with a high success rate. It can be used at diagnosis, during the course of the disease and is also useful to monitor patients after therapy.