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Chromosomal Translocations in AML: Detection and Prognostic Significance

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Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Part of the book series: Cancer Treatment and Research ((CTAR,volume 145))

Abstract

Clonal chromosome abnormalities are hallmarks of various cancer types. Non-random chromosome translocations have been identified in hematological malignancies over five decades due to their ability to yield informative metaphases. Among the various chromosome aberrations commonly found in different cancer types including deletions, duplications, and aneuploidy, balanced reciprocal translocations have been identified with remarkable specificity in hematological malignancies and soft tissue sarcomas. Recurrent chromosome aberrations are used as markers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment follow-up. The fusion and deregulated genes cloned from the site of translocation breakpoints are implicated in tumorigenesis. It has been well established that common molecular consequences of non-random reciprocal translocations result in the formation of a fusion gene from the breakpoints in the introns of two different genes on the same or different chromosome. Most of the fusion genes described in hematological malignancies are transcription factor genes and tyrosine kinases, conferring proliferative advantage to the leukemic clone.

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Acknowledgments

I thank Cancer Genetics Inc, New Jersey, USA for the inv (16) probe FISH images. This work was supported by grants from National Institutes of Health, NIH SBIR phase I grant 1R43CA091532-01 and Agency for Science Technology and Research (A-STAR) Singapore. Wilson GOH Wen Bin, for his assistance in the preparation of this article

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  1. Department of Pathology, Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 48105, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Nallasivam Palanisamy

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  1. Nallasivam Palanisamy
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Correspondence to Nallasivam Palanisamy .

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  1. Dept. of Genetics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Holcombe Blvd. 1515, Houston, 77030, USA

    Lalitha Nagarajan

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Palanisamy, N. (2009). Chromosomal Translocations in AML: Detection and Prognostic Significance. In: Nagarajan, L. (eds) Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Cancer Treatment and Research, vol 145. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-69259-3_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-69259-3_3

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