title: Molecular genetic methods in the diagnosis of hematologic neoplasms.
abstract: Leukemias and lymphomas are monoclonal neoplasms that arise as a result of molecular abnormalities. These abnormalites are diverse but can be grouped into two general categories, chromosomal translocations that usually result in oncogene activation and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Recent advances in our understanding of chromosomal translocations have led to improved classification of leukemias and lymphomas. For example, the t(9;22)(q34;q11) is now considered a defining feature of chronic myeloid leukemia, and the t(2;5)(p23;q35) defines a clinically and biologically unique subset of anaplastic large cell lymphomas. In this review, we focus on chromosomal translocations in hematologic neoplasms and the techniques used for their detection. We also briefly discuss tumor suppressor genes and assessment of clonality in lymphoid neoplasms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Filiz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vega
authors.forename: L Jeffrey
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Medeiros
mesh_terms: D015139:Blotting, Southern / Q000379:methods; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000379:methods; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D007938:Leukemia / Q000235:genetics; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm