[Study on rearrangements of immunoglobulin genes in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mechanism of infidelity of immunoglobulin gene rearrangements in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia and its significance in genotyping of acute leukemia.

METHODS

Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement was studied in 25 patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in various stages by polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements were detected in three of 25 patients, one of whom in complete remission was found to have tendency of relapse one month later.

CONCLUSION

Lineage infidelity of immunoglobulin gene rearrangements does exist in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, therefore, immunoglobulin rearrangements probably can not be regarded as an absolutely reliable marker for acute lymphocytic leukemia. Immunoglobulin rearrangements may have some significance in the detection of minimal residual disease of acute leukemia.