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Clinical relevance of cytogenetics in acute leukemia
A Hagemeijer1, D C van der Plas
1Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The diagnostic and prognostic value of specific cytogenetic abnormalities has been established for most recurrent translocations. For less frequent changes, we still need to collect more cases for determination of their clinical significance. Optimal treatment of leukemia with modern therapeutic strategies requires knowledge of the prognostic factors, and leukemic karyotype should be one of the variable features systematically evaluated in all trials. The molecular analysis of the specific translocation will considerably increase our understanding of the mechanism of leukemogenesis and provide us with new tools for diagnosis. Systematic collection and conservation of acute leukemic cells, cytogenetically and immunologically characterized, would greatly facilitate and accelerate these fundamental studies.