title: An adult B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia with multiple secondary cytogenetic aberrations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report a clinically diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with yet unreported secondary chromosomal aberrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A complete cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic analysis, using GTG banding, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and array-proven multicolor banding (aMCB), for a female patient with clinically diagnosed ALL and immunophenotypically confirmed pre-B ALL (FAB classifications), revealed the presence of a complex structural rearrangement, der (2) (20qter- > 20q13.33::2q21- > 2p14::2q21 > 2qter) along with t (9;22) (q34;q11), t (12;14) (q12;p12) and a monosomy of chromosome 7.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Molecular cytogenetic studies are suited best for identification and characterization of chromosomal rearrangements in acute leukemia. Single case reports as well as large scale studies are necessary to provide further insights in karyotypic changes taking place in human malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Human Genetics Division, Atomic Energy Commission of Syria, P.O. Box 6091, Damascus, Syria.
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Al-Achkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Human Genetics Division, Atomic Energy Commission of Syria, P.O. Box 6091, Damascus, Syria.
authors.forename: Abdulsamad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wafa
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Moneeb Abdullah Kassem
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Othman
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Human Genetics Division, Atomic Energy Commission of Syria, P.O. Box 6091, Damascus, Syria.
authors.forename: Faten
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moassass
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Mammalians Biology Division, Atomic Energy Commission, Damascus, Syria.
authors.forename: Abdulmunim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aljapawe
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liehr
keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Array-proven multicolor banding; Fluorescence in situ hybridization; Philadelphia chromosome; Prognostic factors; Secondary chromosomal abnormalities