Chromosome painting in acute monocytic leukemia

An Alu polymerase chain reaction (PCR) probe specific for chromosome 11 prepared from the somatic cell hybrid J1 was used to analyze karyotypes of eight patients with acute monocytic leukemia (AML-M5). Chromosome painting confirmed the t(9;11) in one patient and a der(1)t(1;6)t(6;11) in another and allowed the identification of a complex rearrangement involving chromosomes 9, 11, and 17, previously classified as del(11)(q23), in a third patient. An analysis of five patients with AML-M5 and a normal karyotype did not detect abnormalities of chromosome 11. The usefulness of chromosome painting combined with in situ hybridization with probes previously located on particular chromosomes is emphasized.