Chromosomal changes in acute promyelocytic leukemia

Summary In this study cytogenetic analysis of 5 cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is described and 3 (60%) of them showed t(15; 17) in karyotype. In recent years more than 130 cases of hematological disorders were studied cytogenetically in our laboratory and this kind of translocation has not been found except in APL. As shown in these patients t(l5; l7) might occur in adults as well as in children and likewise in patients with or without DIC. The chromosome study by G-banding technique demonstrated that the breakpoint of chromosome No. 15 was located between q²⁴ and q²⁵, and that of chromosome No. 17 was located at q²¹. The structural rearrangement was reported as rcp(15;17) (q²⁵⁰⁰; q^2102?).