Jean-Louis Michaux

11q− chromosome is associated with abnormal iron stores in myelodysplastic syndromes

Nine cases of myelodysplastic syndrome with a deletion of the long arm of chromosome #11 (11q-) showed ringed sideroblasts, and three of which had an acquired sideroblastic anemia according to the criteria of the FAB classification. In contrast, among four cases of myelodysplastic syndromes with translocation of extra material to the long arm of chromosome #11 (11q+), only one showed bone marrow sideroblasts. These results strongly indicate that an 11q- chromosome is a marker of iron overload in myelodysplastic syndromes. Within the cases of 11q- associated with sideroblastosis, two cytogenetically different anomalies (i.e., terminal or interstitial deletions) were delineated.

Reciprocal Translocation T(6-9)(p21-q33) - a New Characteristic Chromosome Anomaly in Myeloid Leukemias

Three patients with myeloproliferative disorders, two acute myeloid leukemias and one chronic myelocytic leukemia, were found to present a t(6;9)(p21;q33) as the sole anomaly in the leukemic cells. It is likely that this translocation is to be added to the steadily growing list of characteristic chromosome changes in human malignancy.

The short arm of chromosome 6 is nonrandomly rearranged in secondary myelodysplastic syndromes.

Eight patients with a myelodysplastic syndrome showed a structural rearrangement of the short arm of chromosome #6 involving the distal segment 6p22----6pter. In four cases the myelodysplastic disorder appeared after treatment with chemo- and/or radiotherapy. Cytogenetically, the 6p anomaly was consistently associated with abnormalities of chromosome #5 and/or #7 in seven of eight cases. We believe we identified a new site on 6p that is nonrandomly involved in iatrogenically and possibly also environmentally induced malignant hematologic disorders.

Transformation of polycythemia vera to myelofibrosis and late appearance of a 5q— Chromosome anomaly

Abstract A characteristic 5 q− interstitial deletion was found to occur late during the course of the disease in three patients with polycythemia vera, and accompanied the transformation to myelofibrosis and the appearance of a preleukemic disorder.