Terminal loss of heterozygosity (LOH) occurred without loss of genetic material in acute myeloid leukemia

07-31-2006

According to recent research published in the journal Genes Chromosomes & Cancer, "We performed a whole-genome LOH analysis of 32 cases of acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype using high-density single nucleotide polymorphism arrays."

"LOH was found in 20% of cases. We identified two types of LOH: (i) interstitial, characterized by small deletions of genomic DNA (2-8 Mb), and (ii) terminal, involving large (30-90 Mb) telomeric regions," explained T.A. Gorletta and colleagues, Fondazione Istituto FIRC di Oncologia Molecolare.

The researchers concluded, "Surprisingly, terminal LOH occurred without loss of genetic material because of deletion of large chromosome regions and their substitution through the duplication of the corresponding regions from the homologous chromosomes (acquired partial uniparental disomy)."

Gorletta and colleagues published their study in Genes Chromosomes & Cancer (Frequent loss of heterozygosity without loss of genetic material in acute myeloid leukemia with a normal karyotype. Genes Chromosomes Cancer, 2005;44(3):334-337).

For additional information, contact P.G. Pelicci, Fondazione Istituto FIRC di Oncologia Molecolare, Via Adamello 16, I-20139 Milan, Italy.

Keywords: Milan, Italy, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Genetics, Genomics, Oncology, Loss of Heterozygosity, Loss of Genetic Material, Homologous Chromosomes.

This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.