[Detection of inv (16) in acute myelomonocytic leukemia by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the detection of inv (16) (p13; q22).

METHODS

Spectrum red labeled yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clone 854E2 which spans the breakpoint cluster region in MYH11 in band 16p13 and single color interphase FISH were used to detect inv (16) in 26 cases of acute myelomonocytic leukemias (AML-M(4)), and the results were compared with that of conventional cytogenetic analysis.

RESULTS

R banding karyotyping test revealed no inv (16) in 25 cases, one AML M(4Eo) case showed inv (16) by G banding. Nine cases including all three M(4Eo) had inv (16) by FISH analysis, among whom the characteristic fluorescence signal pattern of the inv (16) was seen in 13.3% to 32.1% (median, 21.3%) of the tested cells.

CONCLUSION

YAC 854E2 and interphase FISH provide a powerful technique in the detection of inv (16) (p13q22).