C-abl and bcr are rearranged in a Ph1-negative CML patient.

Abstract

Chromosomal analysis of a patient with chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) revealed a translocation (9;12) (q34;q21) without a detectable Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1). Using molecular approaches we demonstrate (i) a rearrangement within the CML breakpoint cluster region (bcr) on chromosome 22, and (ii) a joint translocation of bcr and c‐abl oncogene sequences to the derivative chromosome 12. These observations support the view that sequences residing on both chromosome 9 (c‐abl) and 22 (bcr) are involved in the generation of CML and suggest that a subset of Ph1‐negative patients may in fact belong to the clinical entity of Ph1‐positive CML.