Chromosome Preparation for Chronic Lymphoid Malignancies

Abstract

Conventional cytogenetics is invariably one of the most important methods used in diagnostics of chronic lymphoproliferations. It complements fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and molecular analysis. Presence of particular chromosomal alterations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia enables patients’ stratification into appropriate cytogenetic risk groups and influences treatment decisions. In other non-Hodgkin lymphomas cytogenetic analyses are employed also in minimal residual disease assessment.

As lymphocytes in chronic lymphoid malignancies are characterized by low proliferation rate in vitro, it is critical to induce their division in the culture properly. Here, we describe methods of lymphocyte isolation from patient’s samples, conditions of cell culture, and the most commonly used mitogens for B- and T-lymphocytes in hemato-oncologic analyses.