Cytogenetic abnormalities in patients with hematological malignancies in Lahore city, Pakistan / Anormalidades citogenéticas em pacientes com neoplasias hematológicas na cidade de Lahore, Paquistão

Abstract Hematological and hematopoietic cells malignancies of the genes and hematopoietic cells are associated with the genetic mutation, often at the chromosomal level. The standard cytogenetic study is widely accepted as one of the main diagnostics and prognostic determinants in patients. Therefore, the current descriptive and cross-sectional study sought to determine the cytogenetic analysis of frequent hematological malignancies in Pakistan. A total of 202 peripheral bone marrow or blood samples from patients with benign and malignant hematological malignancy were taken using a conventional G-banding technique. Among enrolled patients, the mean age was 21.5 years ± 23.4, and gender-wise distribution showed a marked predominance of the male 147 (73%) population compared to the female 55 (27%). Patients in the age group (2-10 years) had the highest frequency, 48 (24%), of hematological neoplasms, followed by age (11-20 years) with 40 (20%). Normal karyotypes (46, XX/46, XY) was found in 51% (n=103) patients. Furthermore, the frequency of complex karyotype was 30 (15%), while normal was seen in 171 (85%) patients. Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Pre-B ALL) was the most prevalent malignancy of 66 (33%), followed by Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) of 41 (20%) and Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia of 29 (14%). Translocation was the most prevalent 50 (25%), followed by hypotriploidy 14 (7%) and monosomy 8 (4%) on chromosome aberration analysis. In addition, t(9:22) translocation was found to be 20 (10%) in CML, with the majority in the age group (31-40 years). This study recommends that karyotyping should be tested frequently in hematological conditions because it may provide insight into the relative chromosomal changes associated with particular malignancies.

Resumo As neoplasias hematológicas e de células hematopoiéticas dos genes e as células hematopoiéticas estão associadas à mutação genética, geralmente em nível cromossômico. O estudo citogenético padrão é amplamente aceito como um dos principais determinantes diagnósticos e prognósticos em pacientes. Portanto, o presente estudo descritivo e transversal buscou determinar a análise citogenética de neoplasias hematológicas frequentes no Paquistão. Um total de 202 amostras de medula óssea periférica ou sangue de pacientes com malignidade hematológica benigna e maligna foi coletado usando uma técnica convencional de banda G. Entre os pacientes inscritos, a média de idade foi de 21,5 anos ± 23,4, e a distribuição por gênero mostrou uma marcada predominância da população masculina de 147 (73%) em comparação com a feminina de 55 (27%). Pacientes na faixa etária (2-10 anos) tiveram a maior frequência, 48 (24%), de neoplasias hematológicas, seguida da idade (11-20 anos) com 40 (20%). Cariótipos normais (46, XX / 46, XY) foram encontrados em 51% (n = 103) dos pacientes. Além disso, a frequência de cariótipo complexo foi de 30 (15%), enquanto normal foi observada em 171 (85%) pacientes. Leucemia linfoblástica aguda pré-B (LLA Pré-B) foi a doença maligna mais prevalente de 66 (33%), seguida por leucemia mieloide crônica (LMC) de 41 (20%) e leucemia linfocítica aguda de 29 (14%). A translocação foi o 50 mais prevalente (25%), seguido por hipotriploidia 14 (7%) e monossomia 8 (4%) na análise de aberração cromossômica. Além disso, a translocação t (9:22) encontrada foi de 20 (10%) na LMC, com a maioria na faixa etária (31-40 anos). Este estudo recomenda que o cariótipo deve ser testado com frequência em condições hematológicas porque pode fornecer informações sobre as alterações cromossômicas relativas associadas a doenças malignas específicas.

Treatment with dasatinib or nilotinib in chronic myeloid leukemia patients who failed to respond to two previously administered tyrosine kinase inhibitors - a single center experience

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hematological, cytogenetic and molecular responses as well as the overall, progression-free and event-free survivals of chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with a third tyrosine kinase inhibitor after failing to respond to imatinib and nilotinib/dasatinib. METHODS: Bone marrow karyotyping and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed at baseline and at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after the initiation of treatment with a third tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Hematologic, cytogenetic and molecular responses were defined according to the European LeukemiaNet recommendations. BCR-ABL1 mutations were analyzed by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: We evaluated 25 chronic myeloid leukemia patients who had been previously treated with imatinib and a second tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Nine patients were switched to dasatinib, and 16 patients were switched to nilotinib as a third-line therapy. Of the chronic phase patients (n=18), 89% achieved a complete hematologic response, 13% achieved a complete cytogenetic response and 24% achieved a major molecular response. The following BCR-ABL1 mutations were detected in 6/14 (43%) chronic phase patients: E255V, Y253H, M244V, F317L (2) and F359V. M351T mutation was found in one patient in the accelerated phase of the disease. The five-year overall, progression-free and event-free survivals were 86, 54 and 22% (p<0.0001), respectively, for chronic phase patients and 66%, 66% and 0% (p<0.0001), respectively, for accelerated phase patients. All blast crisis patients died within 6 months of treatment. Fifty-six percent of the chronic phase patients lost their hematologic response within a median of 23 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although the responses achieved by the third tyrosine kinase inhibitor were not sustainable, a third tyrosine kinase inhibitor may be an option for improving patient status until a donor becomes available for transplant. Because the long-term outcome ...

Anoftalmia bilateral como defeito congênito isolado: uma abordagem etiológica e psicossocial / Bilateral anophthalmia as an isolated birth defect in newborn: an approach to etiology and psychosocial

A anoftalmia é uma condição oftalmológica rara, caracterizada pela ausência de um ou ambos os olhos, de etiologia não elucidada, podendo ser congênita, adquirida ou associada a outras síndromes sistêmicas. Quanto à etiologia, já foram descritas na literatura aberrações cromossômicas, mutações genéticas e fatores ambientais como responsáveis pelo surgimento da anomalia. Não existe consenso sobre a real incidência da anoftalmia, devido à escassez em dados oficiais, principalmente no Brasil. Neste estudo relata-se um caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino que apresenta anoftalmia bilateral congênita, sem outras anormalidades. Foram utilizados dados compilados do prontuário médico hospitalar, exames laboratoriais e de imagem realizados durante a internação, bem como exames solicitados no acompanhamento clínico pós-alta e um questionário aplicado aos responsáveis legais pela paciente. Os fatores genéticos e não genéticos envolvidos no desenvolvimento de anomalias, assim como as complicações estéticas e psicossociais advindas da anoftalmia foram discutidos. Conclui-se que o fator idade pode estar relacionado ao aparecimento da anoftalmia e que a maior divulgação desta rara anomalia congênita propiciará aos profissionais da saúde, especialmente aos oftalmologistas, conhecimentos adicionais para lidar com os aspectos físicos, humanísticos e sociais envolvidos no atendimento do paciente e de seus familiares, minimizando a gravidade e abrangência dos seus efeitos.

The anophthalmia is a rare eye condition characterized by the absence of one or both eyes, the etiology is not elucidated, and may be congenital, acquired or associated with other systemic syndromes. Regarding etiology, have been described in the literature chromosomal aberrations, genetic mutations and environmental factors as responsible for the appearance of the anomaly. There is no consensus about the actual incidence of anophthalmia, due to the scarcity of official data, especially in Brazil. In this study we report a case of a female patient who has congenital bilateral anophthalmia, with no other abnormalities. This study used data compiled from hospital medical records, laboratory tests and imaging performed during hospitalization, and clinical exams to monitor post-discharge and a questionnaire given to the guardians by the patient. Genetic factors and not involved in the development of genetic abnormalities as well as complications arising from the aesthetic and psychosocial anophthalmia were discussed. We conclude that age may be related to the appearance of anophthalmia and that the wider dissemination of this rare congenital anomaly would give health professionals, particularly to ophthalmologists, additional knowledge to handle the physical, social and humanistic involved in patient care and their families, minimizing the severity and extent of their effects.

Karyotype abnormalities and their clinical significance in a group of chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), karyotyping is a valuable tool for monitoring engraftment and disease status. Few studies have examined the prognostic significance of karyotypes in patients who underwent HSCT for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The objective of this study was to evaluate the significance of pretransplantation cytogenetic status in relation to outcomes following HSCT in CML patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: Case series study at Instituto Nacional do Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: Cytogenetic analysis was performed by G banding on 39 patients treated with HSCT. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were in the chronic phase and eight were in the accelerated phase. Prior to HSCT, additional chromosomal abnormalities on the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome were found in 11 patients. The most frequent additional abnormality was a double Ph, which was observed in four cases. Following HSCT, full chimeras were observed in 31 patients (79.5 percent). Among these, 23 (82.3 percent) had presented Ph as the sole abnormality. Mixed chimeras were observed in seven patients, of which three had additional abnormalities. Only one case did not present any cytogenetic response. Five patients presented cytogenetic relapse associated with clinical relapse following HSCT. Twenty-seven patients are still alive and present complete hematological and cytogenetic remission. CONCLUSION: In our study, the presence of additional abnormalities was not associated with worse outcome and relapse risk. Also, no differences in survival rates were observed. Our study supports the view that classical cytogenetic analysis remains an important tool regarding HSCT outcome.

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Após o transplante de células tronco-hematopoéticas (TCTH), o cariótipo é uma ferramenta valiosa para monitorar o status do enxerto e da doença. Poucos estudos investigaram o significado prognóstico do cariótipo nos pacientes que se submeteram ao TCTH para leucemia mielóide crônica (LMC). O objetivo desse estudo foi verificar o significado dos achados citogenéticos pré-TCTH em pacientes portadores de LMC. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Série de casos. Instituto Nacional do Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. METODOLOGIA: Foram realizados estudos citogenéticos por bandeamento G em 39 pacientes submetidos ao TCTH. RESULTADOS: Trinta e um pacientes estavam em fase crônica e oito em fase acelerada. Pré-TCTH, alterações cromossômicas adicionais ao cromossomo Philadelphia (Ph) foram observadas em 11 pacientes. A mais freqüente foi o duplo Ph observado em quatro casos. Após o TCTH, quimerismo total foi observado em 31 pacientes (79,5 por cento). Desses, 23 (82,3 por cento) apresentavam somente o cromossomo Ph. Quimerismo misto foi observado em sete pacientes, sendo três com alterações adicionais ao Ph. Um caso não apresentou resposta ao TCTH. Recaída citogenética associada com recaída clínica foi observada em cinco pacientes. Após o TCTH, 27 pacientes permanecem vivos e com remissão clínica e citogenética. CONCLUSÃO: Em nosso estudo a presença de alterações cromossômicas adicionais ao Ph, prévias ao TCTH, não foi associada com pior evolução, com risco de recaída, bem como não foi observada diferença entre as taxas de sobrevida. Nosso estudo sugere que a citogenética clássica permanece uma grande ferramenta no monitoramento do TCTH.

Associação entre HLA e leucemia em uma população brasileira de etnia mista / Association between HLA and leukemia in a mixed Brazilian population

OBJETIVOS: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a freqüência de antígenos HLA Classe I e de alelos HLA Classe II em 164 pacientes com vários tipos de leucemias: 35 pacientes com LLA (leucemia linfóide aguda), 50 com LMA (leucemia mielóide aguda) e 78 com LMC (leucemia mielóide crônica). MÉTODOS: A tipagem HLA Classe I foi realizada por microlinfocitotoxicidade e a de Classe II por PCR-SSP (polymerase chain reaction - sequence specific of primers), ambas da One Lambda (Canoga Park, CA, US). RESULTADOS: Em pacientes com LLA, as freqüências das variantes HLA-B45 e HLA-B56 foram maiores (P = 0,02; OR = 3,13; 95 por centoIC = 0,94-10,44; P = 0,03; OR = 3,61; 95 por centoIC = 0,47-27,64, respectivamente), quando comparadas com controles. Nos pacientes com LMA, a freqüência de HLA-B7 (P = 0,01; OR = 2,41; 95 por centoIC = 1,25-4,67) foi maior que em controles. A presença de HLA-B45 (P= 0,01; OR = 3,29; 95 por centoIC = 1,46-7,40) e de HLA-DRB1*04 (P = 0,002; OR = 2,17; 95 por centoIC = 1,36-3,46) e HLA-DRB1*08 (P = 0,004; OR = 2,36; 95 por centoIC = 1,34-4,16) foi associada ao maior risco de desenvolver LMC. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados sugerem que variantes HLA conferem susceptibilidade a algumas formas de leucemia e podem prover novas ferramentas para a investigação da genética e etiologia desta doença.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the class I HLA antigens and class II HLA allele frequencies in 164 patients with leukemia: 35 patients with ALL (acute lymphoid leukemia), 50 with AML (acute myeloid leukemia) and 78 with CML (chronic myeloid leukemia). METHODS: The genotyping of class I HLA was performed by microlymphocytotoxicity and of class II by PCR-SSP (polymerase chain reaction - sequence specific of primers) (One Lambda, Canoga Park, CA, USA). RESULTS: In patients with LLA, frequencies of HLA-B45 and HLA-B56 were higher (P = 0.02; OR = 3.13; 95 percentIC = 0.94-10.44; P = 0.03; OR = 3.61; 95 percentIC = 0.47-27.64, respectively), than in controls. In patients with AML, the frequency of HLA-B7 (P = 0.01; OR = 2.41; 95 percentIC = 1.25-4.67) was higher than in controls. The presence of HLA-B45 (P= 0.01; OR = 3.29; 95 percentIC = 1.46-7.40), HLA-DRB1*04 (P = 0.002; OR = 2.17; 95 percentIC = 1.36-3.46) and HLA-DRB1*08 (P = 0.004; OR = 2.36; 95 percentIC = 1.34-4.16) was associated to increased risk of CML developing. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that variants of HLA confer susceptibility to the same forms of leukemia, and could provide new tools for the investigation of genetics and etiology of this disease.

Importância do cariótipo em leucemia linfocítica crônica: relato de 18 casos / Importance of karyotype in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: report of 18 cases

INTRODUÇAO: A leucemia linfocítica crônica (LLC) é doença neoplásica caracterizada pelo acúmulo de linfócitos B maduros CD 5, CD 19 e CD 23 positivos. Alterações cromossômicas têm sido descritas pela citogenética clássica em 30 por cento a 50 por cento dos casos de LLC. OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente trabalho é demonstrar as alterações de cariótipo observadas em pacientes com LLC em nosso meio. PROCEDIMENTOS: Foram selecionados 18 casos de nosso arquivo, avaliados no período de quatro anos, com LLC diagnosticada com base nos achados morfológicos e imunofenotípicos. Havia 13 homens e cinco mulheres, uma relação de 2,6:1, com mediana de 63 anos. RESULTADOS: Foram detectadas alterações de cariótipo em 39 por cento dos casos (7/18). CONCLUSÕES: O cariótipo permitiu a identificação de diferentes clones em um grupo homogêneo de LLC sob os pontos de vista morfológico e imunofenotípico, demonstrando que as alterações genéticas são indicativas de comportamento biológico diferente.

Acute myeloid leukemia in elderly patients: experience of a single center

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disease predominantly of older adults. Treatment of AML in the elderly is complicated not only by comorbidities but also by the high prevalence of poor prognosis markers. Thirty-one consecutive unselected patients with AML older than 60 years (representing 33 percent of all AML cases diagnosed at our institution during the same period) were followed over a period of 5 years (1997-2002). A high incidence of AML with multilineage dysplasia (45 percent) and no favorable cytogenetic abnormalities but 62 percent intermediate and 38 percent unfavorable karyotypes were found. Sixteen patients (52 percent) were selected for induction of intensive cytotoxic treatment and complete remission was achieved only by some of these intensively treated patients (7 of 16). Of these, 3 remained alive without disease (median: 11 months), 1 patient died shortly after complete remission, and 3 patients relapsed and died from refractory disease. Only 1 patient that was refractory to intensive cytotoxic treatment remained alive with disease under supportive care. Fifteen patients (48 percent) were managed with palliative/supportive care: 7 received palliative treatment and supportive care, 8 received supportive care only, and 4 patients remained alive with disease under supportive care (median: 9 months). Mortality rate was 74 percent and overall survival at two years was 12 percent. To the best of our knowledge, there is no previous report regarding elderly patients with AML in Brazilian subsets. The present data are similar to previously reported studies showing that elderly AML patients are not only older but also biologically distinct from younger AML patients, particularly in terms of the high incidence of poor prognostic karyotypes and resistance to therapy

Fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) for BCR/ABL in chronic myeloid leukemia after bone marrow transplantation

CONTEXT: Identification of Philadelphia chromosome or BCR/ABL gene rearrangement in chronic myeloid leukemia is important at diagnosis as well as after treatment. OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of karyotyping using fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) upon diagnosis and 1 year after bone marrow transplantation in 12 patients. TYPE OF STUDY: Diagnostic test and residual disease detection. SETTING: Hematology and Hemotherapy Department, Federal University of São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil. SAMPLE: 12 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia at diagnosis and 1 year after bone marrow transplantation. DIAGNOSTIC TEST: Karyotyping was done in the usual way and the BCR/ABL gene-specific probe was used for FISH. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Disease at diagnosis and residual. RESULTS: At diagnosis, 10 patients presented t(9;22)(q34.1;q11) as well as positive FISH. Two cases did not have metaphases but FISH was positive. After bone marrow transplantation, 8 patients presented normal karyotype, 1 had persistence of identifiable Philadelphia chromosome and 3 had no metaphases. Two cases showed complete chimera and 2 had donor and host cells simultaneously. FISH was possible in all cases after bone marrow transplantation and confirmed the persistence of identifiable Philadelphia chromosome clone in one patient, and identified another that did not present metaphases for analysis. Cases that showed mixed chimera in karyotype were negative for BCR/ABL by FISH. CONCLUSION: The applicability of FISH is clear, particularly for residual disease detection. Classical and molecular cytogenetics are complementary methods

Simplified method for the analysis of cellular karyotype and phenotype in leukemias

The objective of this study was to develop a simplified method for the simultaneous analysis of cellular karyotype and phenotype which would permit the identification of cell origin. We studied 6 patients with AML, 3 with CML (one of which was in blastic transformation) and one ALL. We used a method in which the suspension of bone marrow cells was incubated in TC 199 medium with colchicine and with hypotonic solution formed from glycerol, NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2 and sucrose. The slides were prepared from this cell suspension by cytospin and stained for peroxidase, PAS, esterases and iron. The karyotype was studied by direct method and culture. It was possible to relate the cytogenetic marker with cytochemistry characteristics in the same cell in 3 cases, showing the feasibility of cytochemistry techniques in cytogenetical preparations. The best preparations were found through peroxidase. The presence of iron granules allowed identification of erythroblastic lineage in the combined staining. Mitosis with a marker chromosome of leukemic clone in an AML cell with negative peroxidase probably showed a proliferation of more primitive precursor not sufficiently differentiated to show markers

Síndrome de Bloom familiar associada a neuroblastoma / Familial Bloom's syndrome associated with neuroblastoma

A SB é entidade rara, de herança autossômica recessiva e caracterizada por baixa estatura, sensibilidade solar e eritema malar telangiectásico. E classificado como doença de quebra cromossômica e imunodeficiência primária mista e maior incidência de neoplasias têm sido relatadas em associaçäo. Apresentamos dois irmäos com SB e imunodeficiência associada. As crianças, ambas do sexo masculino, tinham cinco anos (A) e quatro anos (B) de idade, quando do diagnóstico. O paciente A tinha história de diarréia crônica, otite supurada, rinite purulenta, conjuntivite e piodermite recorrentes. O paciente B, internado por massa abdominal, teve diagnóstico de neuroblastoma bilateral e näo apresenta quadro infecciosos de repetiçäo. Foi submetido a ressecçäo tumoral e quimioterapia, apresentando a seguir monilíase oral, gengivoestomatite herpética e abscessos cutâneos. Os dois pacientes revelaram as características clínicas da SB. A avaliaçäo imunológica, näo observamos alteraçöes no sistema de complemento. Os níveis de IgG, IgA, IgM e IgA salivar foram, respectivamente de: 455mg/dl, 20mg/dl e 0,6mg/dl para A e 400mg/dl, 15mg/dl, 20mg/dl e 0,2mg/dl para B. Os dois apresentaram títulos de anticorpos antipólio (1, 2 e 3) e iso-hemaglutinas antiA em títulos baixos. A tipagem dos linfócitos T, foram observados, para A: OKT3 = 66%, OKT4 = 33,1%, OKT8 = 32,9% e relaçäo OKT4/4 = 1,0 e para B OKT4 = 70%, OKT4 = 32,5%, OKT8 = 34% e relaçäo OKT 4/8 = 1,0. A cultura de linfócitos estimulada com PHA foi...

Diagnóstico citogenético prenatal en madre portadora de translocación cromosómica 4;9: seguimiento del recién nacido / Prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis in a mother with 4;9 chromosomal translocation

El diagnóstico citogenético prenatal constituye una práctica de rutina en muchos países. La indicación más común es edad materna avanzada; sin embargo, algunos casos se deben a que uno de los padres es portador de una translocación cromosómica. En el presente trabajo se describe un caso de diagnóstico citogenético prenatal en una madre portadora de una translocación cromosómica 4;9, con antecedentes de dos abortos y dos muertes perinatales, uno de los productos con labio y paladar hencido. Se describe el manejo de la paciente embarazada, el diagnóstico citogenético prenatal con la obtención de un carioptipo fetal normal y el seguimiento del embarazo y del recién nacido