M-BCR breakpoint location does not predict survival in Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.
BACKGROUND
Some reports in the recent literature have shown that the site of molecular rearrangement within the M-BCR area may have a prognostic value in Ph1 + CML patients. A number of studies have, however, failed to demonstrate this finding. Here we report the molecular rearrangements of 107 patients and their clinical follow-up.


METHODS
Localization of the breakpoints was determined according to conventional criteria, after digestion with 2 to 4 restriction endonucleases and hybridization with 1 or 2 molecular probes.


RESULTS
Sixty two patients were rearranged in the 5' area and 45 in the 3' area: there was no difference between the survival curves of the two groups, at least not after 3 years of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The site of the breakpoint within the M-BCR has no prognostic significance in our series.
Zaccaria
A
A
Centro di Genetica Oncologica, Università di Bologna, Italy.
Martinelli
G
G
Buzzi
M
M
Zuffa
E
E
Zamagni
M D
MD
Testoni
N
N
Russo
D
D
Guerrasio
A
A
Saglio
G
G
Tura
S
S
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / Q000235:genetics; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D006801:Humans; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010677:Philadelphia Chromosome; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl