Reciprocal translocation (11;19)(q23;p13) in congenital acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The cytogenetic, clinical, and immunologic findings ina 4-month-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are reported. The malignant lymphoblasts were characterized cytogenetically by the reciprocal translocation t(11;19)(q23;p13); immunologically by an immature pre-B-ALL phenotype. In spite of the high-risk nature of the leukemia, the patient attained complete remission relatively quickly and is still free of disease 3 years after diagnosis. Because the only two previously reported ALL patients with t(11;19) also seem to have responded well to therapy, this cytogenetic abnormality might turn out to be an indicator of favorable prognosis in ALL.