Recurrent breakpoints in 14q32.13/TCL1A region in mature B-cell neoplasms with villous lymphocytes

The genetic background of mature B-cell neoplasms with villous lymphocytes is poorly understood. We identified a novel breakpoint region at 14q32.13 that was rearranged together with IGH/14q32.33 in four cases of BRAF/V600E-negative leukemia/lymphoma with villous lymphocytes carrying either t(14;14)(q32.13;q32.33) (three patients) or del(14)(q32.13q32.33) (one patient). The 14q32.13 breakpoints were mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the region harboring the TCL1A/TCL1B/TCL6 genes, known to be affected by TCRA/D-mediated t(14;14)(q11;q32)/inv(14)(q11q32) occurring in T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. To identify the target of t(14;14)(q32.13; q32.33) and del(14)(q32.13q32.33), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of 25 candidate genes located centromerically and telomerically to the 14q32.13 breakpoint was performed. Any of the analyzed genes was commonly overexpressed in the presented cases. Of note, up-regulated transcription of TCL1A was observed in two cases. In summary, we provide evidence that IGH-mediated chromosomal aberrations affecting the 14q32.13/TCL1A-TCL6 region are recurrent in mature B-cell neoplasms with villous lymphocytes. Despite extensive qRT-PCR studies, molecular consequences of these novel aberrations remain elusive.