The use of new technologies in the detection of balanced translocations in hematologic disorders

The cytogenetic evaluation of hematologic disease can confirm a diagnosis, determine treatment options, and provide prognostic information to the patient. Among the potential cytogenetic aberrations that can be identified are certain balanced translocations with recurrent breakpoints that provide disease classification and define the sites of disease-causing or disease-promoting genes. In this review, we discuss the importance of balanced translocation identification, the methods traditionally used to identify balanced translocations in the cytogenetics laboratory, and the application of new methodologies such as next generation (NextGen) sequencing and array-based translocation identification through a linear amplification application. These new technologies have the potential to identify all currently known diagnostically and prognostically important rearrangements as well as novel alterations that may provide new therapeutic targets to enhance treatment of hematologic disease.