Bone marrow karyotypes in 94 children with acute leukemia

During the last 10 years, we have cytogenetically analyzed at diagnosis bone marrow cells from a total of 94 children with acute leukemia. Of the 78 children with acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL), 53 (68%) had clonal acquired chromosome abnormalities; in the group with acute nonlymphatic leukemia (ANLL), the corresponding proportion was 13 out of 16 (81%). Among the cytogenetically abnormal ALL patients, the most numerous subset was the hyperdiploid cases with stemlines containing 51 or more chromosomes (26 of 53 abnormal cases; 49%). This is a clearly higher proportion than has been reported in large series from other centers. Deletions of 6q were present in 8 cases and rearrangements of 12p in 5. Of the 7 T-cell ALLs, 3 had translocations of the distal part of 7q, i.e., of the region where the beta T-cell receptor is encoded. Only 2 of 26 (8%) patients with leukemic stemlines with more than 50 chromosomes have relapsed; the remainder are still in first remission (mean observation time 42 months). This may be contrasted with 6 of 25 (24%) relapses among the cytogenetically normal (observation time 41 months), and 8 of 27 (30%) relapses among ALL patients with aberrations but with less than 51 chromosomes (observation time 26 months). Our results support the conclusion that the finding of a markedly hyperdiploid leukemia karyotype is indicative of good prognosis in ALL.

Deletion of 14q in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

6 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [3 with small cell lymphocytic lymphoma of B-cell type (SL), and 1 each with follicular centroblastic/centrocytic, centroblastic, and immunoblastic lymphoma] and with the acquired cytogenetic abnormalities del(14) (q22) or del(14) (q24) are described. An evaluation of these 6 cases and 41 other lymphatic neoplasms with 14q deletion known from the literature revealed that 37 had a breakpoint in bands q22 to q24. The deletions occur significantly more often in lymphomas of SL morphology and in the leukemic counterpart, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, than in other types of lymphatic malignancies (p less than 0.001).

Chromosomal evolution and tumor progression in a myxoid liposarcoma

A myxoid liposarcoma showed macroscopic, histologic, and cytogenetic heterogeneity. In one of three myxoid nodules and in the surrounding lipoma-like tumor tissue, the translocation t(12;16)(q13;p11), known to be specific for myxoid liposarcoma, was found as the sole chromosomal abnormality. In the other two nodules, additional rearrangements involving chromosomes 1, 12, and 16 were found. These aberrations were probably secondary to the primary t(12;16), and are cytogenetic evidence of clonal evolution. The complex chromosome aberrations were present in those tumor parts that had more malignant histology, indicating that the acquisition of secondary chromosomal aberrations parallels the histologic manifestations of tumor progression.

Trisomy 5 and loss of the Y chromosome as the sole cytogenetic anomalies in a cavernous hemangioma/angiosarcoma

Cytogenetic analysis of a cavernous hemangioma with transition to angiosarcoma revealed the mosaic karyotype 47,XY,+5/46,X,-Y,+5/45,X,-Y/46,XY. No cytogenetically analyzed hemangiomas or angiosarcomas have been reported before.

Trisomy 12 in uterine leiomyomas. A new cytogenetic subgroup

Chromosome analysis of short-term cultures from uterine leiomyomas revealed trisomy 12 in six cases. In four of the tumors + 12 was the only karyotypic change. The fifth case also had trisomy 4, whereas the sixth had loss of one X chromosome as an additional aberration. These findings indicate that trisomy 12 characterizes a new cytogenetic subgroup of uterine leiomyoma.

Trisomy 14 in atypical chronic myeloid leukemia

Trisomy 14 was the sole karyotypic anomaly in three patients with Ph1-negative chronic myeloid leukemia, and the only abnormality in one of three clones in a fourth case. The hematologic features were partly myeloproliferative, partly myelodysplastic, and included myeloid hyperplasia, neutrophilia without basophilia, a relatively high number of immature granulocyte precursors in the peripheral blood, and monocytosis in three and dysgranulopoiesis in two of the patients. These data, in combination with the patients' high age at diagnosis, their short survival, and the lack of rearrangements of the major breakpoint cluster region (M-bcr) in the two cases where cells were available for molecular analysis, indicate that all four patients suffered from atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML). We suggest that trisomy 14 may be a characteristic karyotypic abnormality in this hematologic disorder.

Multiple clonal chromosome aberrations in squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx

Short-term cultures from five squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx were subjected to cytogenetic analysis. In the first three cases, two, three, and 10 chromosomally abnormal clones were detected. Single clonal abnormalities were found in cases 4 and 5. In addition to the clonal aberrations, a number of nonclonal changes were also present in all five tumors. None of the aberrations, clonal or nonclonal, was found in more than one tumor, nor did the rearrangements correspond to any of the consistently cancer-associated aberrations known from other tumors. The remarkably diverse karyotypic picture of the five squamous cell larynx carcinomas, in particular the finding of cytogenetically unrelated clones in three of them, suggests that some of these neoplasms are polyclonal rather than monoclonal.

Chromosomal rearrangements in chondromatous tumors

Short-term cultures from 16 chondromatous tumors, 15 primary and one recurrent, were analyzed cytogenetically. Clonal chromosome aberrations were found in one of six benign tumors and in seven of ten malignant tumors. A chondroma had a complex translocation involving chromosomes X, 8, 12, and 13, as well as a deletion of the derivative chromosome 8. In the malignant tumors, monosomy 6 and 22 were observed in three tumors and monosomy 10, 11, 13, and 18 were observed in two tumors. In two of the three metastasizing tumors, del(5) (q13) and loss of chromosomes 6, 10, 11, 13, and 22 were common features. Structural aberrations of chromosome 1 were found in five tumors, of chromosomes 6, 12, and 15 in three tumors, and of chromosomes 4, 5, 9, and 20 in two tumors. We conclude that although considerable cytogenetic heterogeneity exists among chondromatous tumors, the karyotypic anomalies are still nonrandom.

Trisomy 7, trisomy 10, and loss of the Y chromosome in short-term cultures of normal kidney tissue

Numerical chromosome aberrations are common in several types of malignant tumors. Recently, trisomy 7 and loss of the Y chromosome were described in cultures from nonneoplastic tissue, making the significance of these aberrations as cancer-associated changes doubtful. We herein report the mosaic occurrence of trisomy 7 in four consecutive short-term cultures initiated from normal kidney tissue. Smaller clones with trisomy 10 were present in three cases, and the only culture established from a male also showed mosaic loss of the Y chromosome.

Unrelated clonal chromosomal aberrations in carcinomas of the oral cavity

Short-term cultures from 12 oral squamous cell carcinomas were cytogenetically investigated. A normal karyotype was found in 3 tumors, 2 of which had many nonclonal changes. Clonal chromosome abnormalities were detected in the remaining 9 cases, in 6 of them in the form of 2 or 3 abnormal clones. In 5 cases the different clones were cytogenetically unrelated, suggesting a multiclonal origin. Numerous additional nonclonal changes were present in 4 of the 9 tumors with clonal aberrations. None of the structural aberrations, clonal or nonclonal, were found in more than one case; nor did any of the rearrangements correspond to cancer-associated aberrations known from other tumors. The aberration breakpoints of the present series and of previously reported tongue cancer clustered to bands 1p32, 1p22, 1p11, 1q21, 1q23, 1q25, 1q32, 1q42, 1q44, 2q31, 3p11, 4q35, 7p22, 11p15, 11q13, 12q24, and 17q25.

Chromosome rearrangements in two uterine sarcomas

Cytogenetic analysis of short-term cultures from two uterine sarcomas revealed clonal chromosome abnormalities in both cases. A locally recurrent mixed mesodermal tumor had the karyotype 61,XX,+2,+3,+del(5)(q11),+6,+7,+del(7)(q32),+8,+8,+8,+10, -11,-11,+der(11)t(1;11)(q12;p15),+der(11)t(1;11)(q12;p15),+der(11)t(1;11)(q12;p15),+del(12)(q14q21),+13,+15,del(17)(q23),+20. The other tumor, a lung metastasis from a uterine leiomyosarcoma, had several karyotypically abnormal clones. Two of them consisted of highly aberrant cells with modal chromosome numbers of 82 and 153, respectively, but because of insufficient quality the complex anomalies could not be identified. Various chromosomal changes that included translocations, deletions, insertions, and numerical rearrangements (always with extra chromosome 7 material) were identified in pseudo- or near-diploid cells, resulting in nine additional cytogenetically abnormal clones.

Complex karyotypic anomalies in a bizarre leiomyoma of the uterus

Cytogenetic investigation of short-term cultures from a bizarre leiomyoma of the uterus, a tumor type not hitherto karyotypically characterized, revealed two abnormal clones with multiple complex rearrangements. Three-fourths of the aberrant cells were hypodiploid with the composite karyotype 38-44,XX,-6,-7,-10, -11,+20,-22,r(1),der(2)(:2p23----cen----2q13::1q21---- 1qter),der(2)t(2; 9)(p21;q13),t(5;?)(q35;?), t(5;?),(q35;?),+der(5)t(5;15)(q11;q15), der(8)t(8;11)(q24;q13),t(15;?)(p12;?),der(16)t(12;16)(q13;p13),+r,+mar. The remaining abnormal mitoses were hypotetraploid, with chromosome numbers ranging from 74 to 86. These massively rearranged cells showed the same markers that were found in the hypodiploid clone, but in duplicate, indicating that this clone had arisen through polyploidization of hypodiploid cells. Flow cytometry revealed a DNA index of 1.03.

Consistent occurrence of a 19p+ marker chromosome and loss of 11p material in ovarian seropapillary cystadenocarcinomas

Cytogenetic analysis of short-term cultures from 11 moderately to poorly differentiated ovarian seropapillary cystadenocarcinomas revealed clonal chromosomal abnormalities in nine tumors. Two bands were involved in structural rearrangements in more than half of the tumors. The band most frequently affected was 19p13; rearrangements giving rise to a 19p+ marker chromosome were found in seven tumors, and in four of them the 19p+ markers appeared to be identical. Structural rearrangements resulting in loss of 11p13-11pter material were found in six tumors.

Structural chromosome aberrations in an adamantinoma

Cytogenetic analysis of a tibial adamantinoma, a malignant tumor that has hitherto not been characterized chromosomally, revealed as the only abnormalities the two apparently balanced translocations, t(1;13;22)(q22;q12;p13) and t(15;17)(q12;p13).

Different karyotypic abnormalities, t(1;6) and del(7), in two uterine leiomyomas from the same patient

Cytogenetic studies of two uterine leiomyomas from the same patient revealed different karyotypic changes. Both tumors showed only a single chromosome abnormality; one had t(1;6)(q23;p21) and the other del(7)(q21.2q31.2). These findings support the view that multiple leiomyomas of the uterus arise independently.

The INT1 oncogene is not rearranged or amplified in lipomas with structural chromosomal abnormalities of 12q13-15

DNA from nine different solitary subcutaneous lipomas, all with clonal abnormalities affecting the chromosome segment 12q13-15, was examined for rearrangement or amplification of a human INT1 gene sequence. INT1 is a putative oncogene that has been localized to the chromosome band 12q13. No rearrangement or amplification could be detected.

Cytogenetic and quantitative DNA analysis of primary and xenografted human osteosarcomas

We have analyzed, cytogenetically and by flow DNA cytometry, three human osteosarcomas. From one case, both the primary tumor (T9) and three of its serial passages in nude mice were analyzed. From the two other tumors (T1, T4), nude mouse xenografts were examined. Complex karyotypic rearrangements were invariably found in the short-term culture preparations. The major clones were hypodiploid in T1 but near-triploid in all other tumor samples. No rearrangement common to all tumors could be identified. The DNA indexes were 1.0/2.0 (T1), 1.4 (T4), 0.9/1.8 (T9 primary), and 1.7 (all T9 xenografts). Thus, there was good correlation between the DNA indexes and the chromosome numbers. Chromosomal evolution could be studied in one case, in which both the primary tumor (T9) and its xenograft passages (1, 4, and 7), obtained 1, 7, and 11 months after the first transplantation of T9 cells to nude mice, were analyzed. All but one of the clonal marker chromosomes found in the primary tumor were retained in all passages. On the other hand, several new clonal markers developed.

Characteristic karyotypic anomalies identify subtypes of malignant fibrous histiocytoma

Cytogenetic analysis of short-term cultures from 25 malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFH) revealed clonal chromosome abnormalities in 17 tumors: ten storiform-pleomorphic and seven myxoid MFH. Telomeric associations, rings, and dicentric chromosomes were present in 11 tumors and cytogenetic signs of gene amplification (homogeneously staining regions and double minute chromosomes) in four. The breakpoint distribution of the numerous structural rearrangements was nonrandom. The chromosome bands most frequently affected were 19p13 (in eight tumors; eight rearrangements gave rise to 19p+ markers, some of which looked similar, and an r(19) was found in one case), 11p11 (in seven tumors; three translocations and four deletions), 1q11 (in seven tumors; one translocation and six deletions), and 3p12 (in six tumors; all deletions). Other bands involved at least four times were 1p36, 5p15, and 20q13. Of particular clinical interest was the observation that tumors with 19p+ seemed to have a pronounced tendency to recur locally (local recurrence in five of eight tumors with 19p+ compared to one of nine in tumors without this aberration; observation period 4-16 months).

Multiple clonal chromosome aberrations in two thymomas

Cytogenetic investigations of two thymomas of different histopathology revealed unrelated clonal karyotypic changes: 44,XY,+X,inv(2)(p25q13),del(6)(q15),-8,-16,-17 in a cortical thymoma, and 48-49,XX,+del(X)(q24),+i(5p),+?del(7)(q22),der(11)t(1;11)(q23;q25),t(11; ?)(p15;?),-18,+r in a mixed-type thymoma. These are the first thymic tumors of epithelial origin that have been investigated with banding technique.

A squamous cell bladder carcinoma with karyotypic abnormalities reminiscent of transitional cell carcinoma

A squamous cell carcinoma was investigated cytogenetically by means of chromosome banding. The karyotype was complex with many structural and numerical changes, including -9 and del(11p), aberrations that also have been noted in transitional cell carcinoma. Thus, cytogenetic studies may be an important complement to the histological classification of bladder tumors, and may even contribute to our understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of the 2 main types of bladder cancer.

The gene for the human putative apoE receptor is on chromosome 12 in the segment q13-14

We have previously described the cDNA coding for a new lipoprotein receptor that contains domains closely related to the ligand-binding domain of the LDL receptor. We have now investigated the localization of the gene for this new receptor by hybridization of the cDNA to panels of rodent cells containing subsets of human chromosomes and by in situ hybridization of the cDNA to chromosomes. The gene maps to 12q13-14, a known hot spot for chromosomal rearrangements in human neoplasia. Of particular interest is the frequent involvement of the 12q13-14 segment in clonal abnormalities in lipomas and myxoid liposarcomas, and it is possible that LRP may play a role in the pathogenesis of such tumors.

Double minutes in two primary adenocarcinomas of the prostate

Double minute chromosomes were found in metaphases from short-term tissue cultures of two primary prostatic adenocarcinomas. This is the first cytogenetic evidence of gene amplification in this tumor type.

Clonal chromosome aberrations in a keratoacanthoma and a basal cell papilloma

Clonal chromosome abnormalities were found in short-term cultures from two epithelial skin tumors, a basal cell papilloma and a keratoacanthoma. The three-way translocation t(2;6;11)(q21;q27;p13) was the sole clonal rearrangement in the basal cell papilloma. The karyotype of the keratoacanthoma was more complex: 46,XX,der(2)(2pter----2p13::2p11----cen----2q37: :5q33----5qter),der(2) (:2p13----cen----2q37::6q23----6qter),der(5)t(2; 7;5)(q37;q11;q33),der(6) (6pter----cen----6q23::2p13----2pter),der(7)t(2; 7;5)(q37;q11;q33), del(13)(q11q14). In addition, several nonclonal structural changes were seen in both tumors.

No amplification or rearrangement of INT1, GLI, or COL2A1 in uterine leiomyomas with t(12;14)(q14-15;q23-24)

We have studied three uterine leiomyoma tumors, all previously cytogenetically analyzed and shown to have the clonal abnormality t(12:14)(q14-15;q23-24), with the purpose of detecting amplification or rearrangement of three genes that are localized close to the 12q breakpoint region. The genes studied were the two putative oncogenes INT1 and GLI, and the collagen type II alpha 1 gene, COL2A1. No rearrangement or amplification could be detected for any of the three gene sequences.

Two unrelated clonal chromosome rearrangements in a nasal papilloma

We have cytogenetically examined short-term cultures from a nasal papilloma, a tumor type in which chromosome aberrations have hitherto not been reported. Two pseudodiploid clones were detected, giving the tumor karyotype 46,XY,t(1;3)(p31;p12)/46,XY,t(11;?)(q25;?).

Diverse chromosome abnormalities in squamous cell carcinomas of the skin

Short-term cultures from three invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the skin were cytogenetically analyzed. Clonal chromosome aberrations were found in all tumors. In the first case, two of three abnormal clones were related, and in the second case, two of five clones demonstrated cytogenetic similarities. Both clones detected in case 3 had a structural rearrangement in common. Several nonclonal changes were seen in all three cases in addition to the clonal aberrations. None of the rearrangements detected, clonal or nonclonal, corresponds to any of the consistently cancer-associated aberrations known from other neoplasms. The remarkably diverse karyotypic picture of the three squamous cell carcinomas, in particular the finding of unrelated clones in two of them, hints that these neoplasms may be poly-rather than monoclonal. The lack of a common cytogenetic denominator argues that if chromosomal changes are of pathogenetic importance in this tumor type, a wide variety of apparently dissimilar changes exist that are roughly equal in their capacity to malignantly transform skin epithelium.

In situ hybridization localizes the human putative oncogene GLI to chromosome subbands 12q13.3-14.1

Using in situ hybridization, we have localized the human putative oncogene GLI to chromosome subbands 12q13.3-14.1. The precise genomic site is of interest since the region 12q13-15 has been found to be consistently rearranged in neoplasia-associated chromosome abnormalities in lipomas, myxoid liposarcomas, uterine leiomyomas, and pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary gland.

Chromosome abnormalities in a pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Short-term cultures initiated from a pancreatic adenocarcinoma were cytogenetically investigated. The composite karyotype was 74-76,XX,+X,+2,+3,+del(3)(p21),+5,+5,+der(7) t(1;7)(q21;p22),+der(7),del(8)(p21),+del(8)(p21),+der(8)t(8;?)(q24; +),+9,+9,+10,+10,+11,+11,+12,+13,+14,+der(14)t(14; +)(p11;?),+der(16)t(15;16)(q11;p13),+der(16),+der(17)t(17;?) (p11;?),+der(17),+18,+20,+20,-21,-21,+22,+22,+1-3mar. A comparison with the few previously cytogenetically characterized cases of this tumor type reveals no consistent abnormalities.

Basosquamous papilloma. A benign epithelial skin tumor with multiple cytogenetic clones

Cytogenetic analysis of short-term cultures from a basosquamous papilloma revealed the following mosaic karyotype: 46,XX,t(2;5)(q31;q31),t(8;15)(p21;q21)/46,XX,t(7;17)(p13;p13)/47,XX, t(3;20)(q12;p13),+7/46,XX,t(1:12)(p12;q13). The finding of four abnormal, cytogenetically unrelated clones suggests a multicellular origin of this benign skin tumor. None of the structural rearrangements encountered have previously been associated with neoplasia.

Trisomy 7 and sex chromosome loss in human brain tissue

Short-term cultures of nonneoplastic brain tissue from 11 patients, seven of whom had a malignant brain tumor, were cytogenetically examined. In only a single case was a wholly normal chromosome complement detected; the remaining ten cases exhibited mosaicism with clonal numerical aberrations found alongside cells carrying a normal karyotype. The abnormal clones were characterized by trisomy 7, the loss of the Y chromosome in men and an X chromosome in women, or by combinations thereof. No structural aberrations were present. Our findings demonstrate that although -Y, -X, and +7 have in the past repeatedly been associated with brain tumors, these changes presumably reflect normal in vivo organ mosaicism and, thus, should not be accepted as neoplasia-specific in this context.

Cytogenetic abnormalities in an angioleiomyoma

We have cytogenetically investigated short-term cultures from an angioleiomyoma. Monosomy for chromosome 13, and one to two small markers were observed in the tumor cells, resulting in the karyotype 46-47,XY,-13,+1-2 mar.

Genetic convergence during serial in vitro passage of a polyclonal squamous cell carcinoma

A cell line was established from an in situ squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (Bowen's disease), and its in vitro karyotypic evolution was cytogenetically analyzed. Initially, considerable genetic heterogeneity was evident. Nine cytogenetically abnormal clones, eight of which were apparently unrelated, were found among the 83 metaphases analyzed from the primary culture and the first passage. With increasing time in culture this complexity was reduced, so that a single clone dominated passages 7-11. The clone that emerged from this genetic convergence had a t(12;17)(p13;q21) as the sole abnormality. Our findings indicate that the cytogenetic multiclonality that has been repeatedly detected in short-term cultures of squamous cell carcinomas is not caused by the in vitro conditions. Instead, the principles of Darwinian selection apply: the altered, but stable, selection pressure facing a newly established and initially multiclonal cell line will lead to a reduction of genetic heterogeneity until the one clone that now has the proliferative advantage outgrows the other subpopulations.

Different karyotypic features characterize different clinico-pathologic subgroups of benign lipogenic tumors

On the basis of the cytogenetic analysis of tumor cells from a total of 50 lipomas, we conclude that 4 main cytogenetic subtypes may be recognized: (1) tumors with normal karyotype (18 cases); (2) tumors with rearrangements of 12q13-14 (18 cases); (3) tumors with ring chromosomes (6 cases); (4) tumors with other clonal changes (8 cases). This karyotypic heterogeneity parallels other disease characteristics in the following manner: all 6 tumors containing ring marker chromosomes were histopathologically classified as atypical lipomas (6 of the 50 tumors were diagnosed as atypical) or (in 2 cases) lipomas with foci of atypia. In only one single solitary lipoma with focal atypia were no ring chromosomes detected in the tumor cells. This contrasts strongly with the findings in typical solitary lipomas, where rings were found in only 2 of 37 tumors, or, if the 3 tumors with focal atypia are excluded, in none of 34. Furthermore, all 7 multiple lipomas were karyotypically normal, whereas among solitary tumors the corresponding proportion was 11 of 43. We conclude that ring marker chromosomes may be a distinguishing cytogenetic feature of atypical lipomas, and that multiple lipomas, in contrast to their solitary counterparts, are karyotypically normal. These findings emphasize that different tumorigenic pathways are likely to be involved in different groups of benign lipogenic neoplasms.

Multiple unrelated clonal chromosome abnormalities in an in situ squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

We have cytogenetically analyzed short-term cultures from an in situ squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (Bowen's disease). The following mosaic tumor karyotype was found: 46,XX, -1, +der(1)(pter----p22::q11----cen----p22:), -9, +der(9)t(1;9)(q11; p24)/46,XX,t(3;6) (q21;p21)/46,XX,t(5;14)(q13;q24),t(7;18)(q32;q11)/46,XX,t(8;11)(p22;q13) /46, XX,t(8;11) (p22;q13),t(15;17) (q13;q24)/46,XX,t(12;15)(q12;p11). None of the rearrangements correspond to previously known cancer-associated abnormalities. Two of the clones are obviously related, and it is reasonable to assume that the t(15;17) developed as an evolutionary change in a cell that already contained t(8;11)(p22;q13). Since five clones without cytogenetic similarities were found in this in situ skin carcinoma, we suggest that the tumor was of polyclonal origin. It is impossible to decide whether all, or indeed any, of the visible abnormalities constitute pathogenetically essential primary changes, or merely represent chromosomal markers of secondary importance in tumorigenesis.

Trisomy 5 and t(5;14)(q11;q32) as the sole abnormalities in two different clones from a centroblastic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

A 62-year-old previously healthy woman presented with a centroblastic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the thyroid. Chromosome analysis revealed two unrelated clones, 47,XX,+5 and 46,XX,-14,+der(14)t(5;14)(q11;q32). The two clones may reflect a polyclonal origin, or they may be the descendants of the same neoplastically rearranged cell. In the latter case, the clonal aberrations are either secondary to an event detectable only at the molecular level, or one of them is a primary cytogenetic event while the other arose through clonal evolution with loss of the primary aberration. The best candidate for the primary change would be trisomy 5. Trisomy 5 has previously been associated with lymphomas with diffuse, large, noncleaved morphology, a group within the Working Formulation largely equivalent to centroblastic lymphomas in the Kiel classification. Our findings thus support the notion that trisomy 5 may be associated with centroblastic/diffuse, large, noncleaved lymphomas.

Ring formation and structural rearrangements of chromosome 1 as secondary changes in uterine leiomyomas with t(12;14)(q14-15;q23-24)

Cytogenetic analysis of short-term cultures from two uterine leiomyomas revealed, in addition to the primary abnormality, the reciprocal translocation t(12;14)(q14-15;q23-24), secondary structural changes that in both cases included ring chromosomes and rearrangements of chromosome 1. One tumor had the karyotype 46,XX,r(1)(p34q32),ins(8;9)(q13;q13q22),t(12;14)(q14-15;q23- 24). Massive numerical rearrangements were found in the second leiomyoma, with chromosome numbers ranging from 47 to 92. In spite of this variability, two main cell populations could be discerned, one near-diploid, the other hypotetraploid, with most mitoses having chromosome numbers between 80 and 88. These findings were corroborated by flow cytometry, which revealed two peaks corresponding to DNA indexes of 0.97 and 1.77. The structural abnormalities t(1;1)(p31;q44) and t(12;14)(q14-15;q23-24) were present in all karyotypically abnormal cells, and one or more unidentified ring chromosomes were observed in most of the hypotetraploid mitoses. In no cells were double copies of the t(1;1) and t(12;14) rearrangements detected. The similarity between the secondary changes in the cases reported here suggests that clonal evolution in uterine leiomyoma is nonrandom.

Bone marrow karyotype and prognosis in primary myelodysplastic syndromes

Bone marrow karyotype, survival time, and the rate of progression to leukaemia were studied in 111 unselected patients with primary myelodysplastic syndromes. The 49 patients (44%) with clonal chromosome aberrations had survival time (median 29 months) similar to that found in the 62 patients with normal bone marrow karyotype (24 months, p greater than 0.10). The presence of multiple (greater than 2) abnormalities (17 patients) was strongly associated with poor prognosis, with a median survival of only 7 months (p less than 0.001). Prognostic information could be attributed to 2 specific abnormalities, del(5q) and -7: Presence of del(5q) as the sole anomaly was associated with long survival (36+ months), whereas monosomy 7 was a bad prognostic sign (6 months). The risk for leukaemia development correlated neither with the number of chromosome abnormalities nor with any particular anomaly. Our findings demonstrate the prognostic importance of quantifying the complexity of bone marrow chromosome changes. They also emphasize that different specific abnormalities convey widely different prognostic information in primary myelodysplastic syndromes.

Multiple structural chromosome rearrangements, including del(7q) and del(10q), in an adenocarcinoma of the prostate

Cytogenetic analysis of a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate revealed the complex karyotype: 76-86,X, -Y, +X, +X, +del(X)(q24), +t(1;10) (p22;q24), -2, +der(2) t(1;2;?)(p32;q24p13;?), +der(2)t(1;2;?) (p32;dq24p13;?), +3, +3, +4, +5, +5, +6, +7, +del(7) (q22), -8, +der(8)t(8;?)(q24;?), + der(8)t(8;?)(q24;?), +9, +10, +10, +der(10)t (1;10)(q24;q22), +del (10)(q23), +11, +11, +12, +der(12)t(4;12)(q11;p11), +der(12)t(4;12) (q11;p11), +14, +der (15)t(1;15)(q21;p11), +t(16;?) (q21;?), +17, +18, +19, +19, +20, +20, +21, +22, +2-5 mar. The karyotype contains deletions of both 7q and 10q, abnormalities that also have been described previously in prostatic adenocarcinomas, and which hence may represent primary chromosomal rearrangements in this type of cancer.

Multiple karyotypic abnormalities, including structural rearrangements of 11p, in cell lines from malignant melanomas

Cell lines were obtained from three malignant melanoma patients by culturing cell suspensions from tumor biopsies. A total of six lines (I to VI) were established. One line each was established from the first two cases. Lines III and IV were established from two different methyl cellulose colonies derived from the primary tumor of case 3; line III was from a non-pigmented and line IV from a pigmented colony. Cloning of line IV resulted in two highly malignant (IV Cl 1 and IV Cl 3) and one less malignant (IV Cl 2) clone. Clone IV Cl 1 was inoculated intracardially in nude mice and gave rise to adrenal and brain metastases. Lines V and VI were derived from such metastases. Multiple structural and/or numerical chromosome abnormalities were detected in all lines. Line I had 57-61 chromosomes, with structural changes affecting 1p, 2p, 3q, 7p, 7q, 11p, 14q, 17q, and 22q, as well as one unidentified marker. Line II had 40-48 chromosomes, with structural changes of 1p, 1q, 4q, 5p, 6p, 8p, 11p, 11q, 14p, 20p, and two unidentified markers. Line III had 45 chromosomes, 6q+, del(11p), and a centric fusion between chromosomes 14 and 15. Line IV had 45-46 chromosomes. The clonal changes included rearrangements of 1p, 9p, 11p, and the centric fusion of chromosomes 14 and 15. Line V was pseudodiploid and contained aberrations of 1p, 9p, 11p, 14q, 20q, an isochromosome for 21q, and an unidentified marker. Finally, the pseudodiploid line VI had changes of 9p, 11p, centric fusion of chromosomes 14 and 15, and an unidentified marker. Although no single identical aberration was shared by all six lines, structural abnormalities of 11p were invariably present and, hence, might constitute a common cytogenetic feature in melanoma development. The most consistent difference between the amelanotic and melanotic lines derived from case 3 was the presence of a 6q+ marker in the former and a 9p+ marker in the latter.

A case of Ewing's sarcoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration. Light microscopy, electron microscopy and chromosomal analysis

A Ewing's sarcoma of the thigh in a 9-year-old boy was diagnosed by light microscopy, electron microscopy, and chromosomal analysis performed on fine needle aspirates.

Chromosome abnormalities in leiomyosarcomas

Short-term cultures from seven soft tissue leiomyosarcomas were investigated cytogenetically. Sufficient mitoses for chromosome analysis were obtained in six cases, four of which had only normal karyotypes. In one tumor, an intramuscular leiomyosarcoma of the lower arm, a variety of nonclonal structural and numerical aberrations were found in two thirds of the metaphases. Another tumor, a subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma of the knee, had clonal abnormalities resulting in the karyotype 46,X,der(X)t(X;4)(:Xq26----cen----Xp22::4q23----4qter) , del(4)(q23)/47,X,der(X)t(X;4),del(4)(q23), + 20. Flow cytofluorometric measurements of the DNA content in the six leiomyosarcomas successfully karyotyped revealed diploid values in five tumors. The leiomyosarcoma displaying numerous nonclonal changes had two cytofluorometric peaks, 1.01 and 1.39, indicating that the metaphases available for cytogenetic study cannot have been fully representative of the tumor stemline.

Complex chromosome rearrangements in an extraabdominal desmoid tumor

Cytogenetic studies of an extraabdominal desmoid tumor revealed karyotypic abnormalities in 20 of 50 analyzed metaphases, with no less than 13 clonal marker chromosomes, 11 of which could be at least partially identified. The hypodiploid stemline karyotype was interpreted as: 43-45,XX,-1,-1, + der(1)(?::1p36----1q21::?) + der(1)t(1;?)(p11;?), + der(1) (1pter----1p31::1p11----1cen----1q32::?),- 3,del(3)(p12), + der(3)t[del(3)(p12);?](q25;?), + der(6) t(6;?)(q15;?),-8,-9,-9,-10, + der(10)t(10;?)(p13;?),-12, + der(12)(?::12q14----12q23::?), -13, -13,-15,-19,dic(21;22)(p13;q13),-21, + der(21)t(21;?)(p13;?),-22, + der(22)t(22;?)(q13;?), + 1-3mar/46,XX. This finding of clonal chromosome rearrangements strongly suggests that extraabdominal desmoid tumor is a neoplastic disease.

Four copies of 8p in a mentally retarded boy with the mosaic karyotype 47,XY, + i(8p)/46,XY

A 5-year-old boy with slow psychomotor development, slight widening of the posterior part of the brain ventricles, and anomalies of vertebrae and ribs is described. Cytogenetic investigation revealed the mosaic karyotype 47,XY, + i(8p)/46,XY, i.e., a triplication of 8p. This abnormality has not been reported before.

Bands involved in primary chromosome rearrangements in sarcomas are not constitutionally liable to breakage in sarcoma patients

The localization of breakpoints in spontaneous chromosome aberrations, i.e., chromatid and chromosome gaps, breaks, and exchanges, has been studied in cultured skin fibroblasts from 34 untreated patients with musculoskeletal sarcoma and 38 controls. A total of 325 aberrations in the sarcoma group and 251 in the control group could be assigned to particular bands. The distribution was non-random (P less than 0.001) in both groups. Twenty-one bands in the sarcoma group and 20 in the control group appeared as hot spots, with 11 represented in both groups. Only three hot spots, all of which were present among both patients and controls, coincided with bands involved in primary sarcoma-associated chromosome rearrangements. The results indicate that the chromosome breakage pattern of non-malignant cells is similar in sarcoma patients and controls. Hence, the occurrence of primary structural rearrangements in sarcomas cannot be accounted for by any constitutional proneness to chromosome breakage at these bands.