title: Impact of cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic studies on hematologic malignancies.
abstract: Conventional cytogenetic analysis of chromosome abnormalities in hematologic malignancies is hampered by the low mitotic index and poor quality of metaphases. A range of techniques based on fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has greatly enhanced the identification of non-random translocations and deletions, pinpointing regions which contain genes involved in leukemogenesis. One of the main advantages of FISH is its ability to use non-dividing interphase cells as DNA targets, enabling the screening of large numbers of cells and providing access to a variety of cells with different hematopoetic activity. Furthermore, multicolor FISH (SKY, M-FISH and CGH microarrays) combines the screening potential of cytogenetics with the accuracy of molecular genetics, allowing the visualization of the entire human genome in 24 different colors.
authors.affiliation: Medical Genetics, University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece. akolialexi@cc.uoa.gr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kolialexi
authors.forename: G Th
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Tsangaris
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kitsiou
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kanavakis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mavrou
mesh_terms: D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D020223:Chromosome Painting; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization