Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The detection of chromosomal translocations by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is widely performed, but very few studies have attempted to apply this technique to paraffin-embedded routine biopsy samples. We report the analysis of paraffin sections from 36 B-cell lymphoma biopsies for MYC translocation breakpoints by FISH. The probes consisted of multi-YAC constructs that flanked the breakpoint region and that, therefore, separate upon a chromosomal translocation and generate split (or "segregated") signals (rather than a more ambiguous "co-localization" pattern, obtained when the two partners in a hybrid gene are detected). The results were assessed by a simple approach that avoids the counting of signal numbers per nucleus and so is appropriate for use in routine practice. A total of 19 of the 36 lymphomas were scored as positive for MYC translocation and this included 16 of the 20 patients in whom classic cytogenetics had shown the presence of the (8;14) translocation (or one of its two variants). We conclude that this two-colour "split-signal" technique based on breakpoint flanking probes can readily detect chromosomal translocations in paraffin sections. Furthermore, our results suggest that cases categorized as "atypical Burkitt's/Burkitt-like" lymphoma (at least for adult patients) are heterogeneous with respect to translocations involving the MYC oncogene, as well as immunophenotype and clinical features.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Br J Haematol

Publication Date

04/2003

Volume

121

Pages

49 - 56

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Biopsy, Burkitt Lymphoma, Female, Genes, myc, Genetic Markers, Humans, In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence, Lymphoma, B-Cell, Male, Microscopy, Fluorescence, Middle Aged, Paraffin Embedding, Translocation, Genetic