Detection of residual proliferating leukemic cells by fluorescence in situ hybridization in CML patients in complete remission after interferon treatment.
Interferon-alpha produces a complete hematologic and cytogenetic remission in approximately 20% of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). In this study, we applied fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) methodology to examine the possibility that a low level of proliferating Philadelphia-chromosome-positive (Ph+) cells may be present in interferon-treated CML patients who have achieved complete cytogenetic remission (as defined by the absence of Ph chromosome in 20-25 metaphases analyzed). Ten such patients in remission for 6-35 months were studied by this technique, in which a chromosome-22-specific DNA painting probe was used to detect leukemic cells with the characteristic 9;22 chromosomal translocation. In six of the 10 patients (60%), 3-9% Ph+ metaphases were detected. No Ph+ cells were observed in nine control individuals. Thus, this study demonstrates that FISH technology is more sensitive than conventional cytogenetic analysis for the detection of minimal residual disease in CML.
Zhao
L
L
Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
Kantarjian
H M
HM
Van Oort
J
J
Cork
A
A
Trujillo
J M
JM
Liang
J C
JC
D002455:Cell Division; D002892:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22; D002899:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007621:Karyotyping; D015466:Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008677:Metaphase; D010677:Philadelphia Chromosome; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
D016898:Interferon-alpha