Chromosomal translocation involving the immunoglobulin kappa-chain and heavy-chain loci in a child with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is usually a monoclonal B-cell neoplasm that occurs almost exclusively in middle-aged and elderly adults. We observed a rapidly progressive case of the disease in a 10-year-old girl. The leukemic cells bore surface IgM and IgD immunoglobulins of the kappa-light-chain type. Karyotyping of the abnormal cells revealed an unusual translocation [t(2;14) (p13;q32)], with break points at or near the kappa-light-chain and heavy-chain gene loci. Translocations involving the immunoglobulin gene loci may be important in the pathogenesis of some cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, as they appear to be in Burkitt's lymphoma.

• Authors: J A Sonnier, G R Buchanan, P N Howard-Peebles, J Rutledge, R G Smith
• Journal: The New England journal of medicine (N Engl J Med) Vol. 309 Issue 10 Pg. 590-4 (Sep 08 1983) ISSN: 0028-4793 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6410236 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulin D
• Immunoglobulin Light Chains
• Immunoglobulin M
• Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains

Topics

• Child
• Chromosome Mapping
• Female
• Heavy Chain Disease (history)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin D (analysis, genetics)
• Immunoglobulin Light Chains (genetics)
• Immunoglobulin M (analysis, genetics)
• Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains (analysis, genetics)
• Karyotyping
• Leukemia, Lymphoid (genetics, immunology)
• Translocation, Genetic