Nonclonal Chromosomal Aberrations in Childhood Leukemia Survivors

Survivors of childhood cancer are at risk of developing a second malignancy. One possible mechanism for neoplastic transformation of cells is through induction of persistent genomic instability. This study aims to seek evidence of chromosomal instability in long-term childhood leukemia survivors (CLS) in one of the largest pediatric academic oncology centers in South East Asia.

50 asymptomatic (subjects have remained leukemia-free since treatment cessation) CLS and 50 healthy controls were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Of 50 CLS, 44 had acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 6 had acute myeloid leukemia. G-banded karyotyping was performed on unstimulated peripheral blood leukocytes of all subjects.

CLS had significantly higher occurrence of karyotypic abnormalities compared to controls. Five CLS harbored six nonclonal abnormalities (mostly aneuploidy) while none were found in controls.

Subpopulations with nonclonal chromosomal aberrations were present in peripheral blood leukocytes of our cohort of childhood leukemia long-term survivors.