The relation of oncogenesis and cytogenetics in leukemia and lymphoma

Recent advances in both molecular biology and cancer cytogenetics have provided valuable tools for the study of human oncogenesis. Cellular homologues of viral transforming genes (oncogenes) have been mapped to precise sites on human chromosomes, many of which are involved in specific chromosome translocations in human malignant diseases. Moreover, specific chromosome abnormalities, such as the Ph1 chromosome, have diagnostic implications. Sufficient data are now available for both acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemia so that the patient's response to therapy and survival can be correlated with the karyotype; it was also shown that the karyotype of the leukemic cells provides significant independent prognostic information. This review summarizes the specific translocations of human leukemias and lymphomas, their clinical implications, and the cellular oncogenes associated with them. Possible mechanisms of oncogenesis and future areas of investigation are also discussed.