A variant 15;17 translocation in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia

We report a 36-year-old male with typical features of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in whom a new variant 15;17 translocation, t(8p+;17q-), was found. Using G- and Q- banding techniques, the chromosome breaks were found to be near the junction of 8p12 and 8p21 and band 17q12, respectively. The breakpoint on 17q in our case was similar to that in previously described cases with a standard translocation (15;17). Consequently, this chromosome break or rearrangement at band 17q12, rather than the recipient site of translocation of the deleted material, appears to be of crucial importance in the genesis of APL.