ABSTRACT
Objective/background: Specific chromosomal translocations are found in human leukemias and lymphomas. These translocations are closely related to particular histological and immunological phenotypes. In Burkitt's lymphoma, translocation t[8;14][q24;q32], which involves the c-myc gene [8q24] and the immunoglobulin heavy-chain [IgH] locus [14q32], accounts for 90-95% of all chromosomal translocations. This translocation can be found in 2-5% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [DLBCL]. Long-distance polymerase chain reaction [LD-PCR] assays, which can identify oncogene/Ig gene rearrangement, can detect these fusion genes. The objective of this study was to detect t[8;14] c-myc/IgH gene rearrangement by LD-PCR in patients with DLBCL
Methods: In this study, 54 DLBCL cases were tested by LD-PCR with specific primers. LD-PCR was used for two breakpoints in both the IgH gene [joining region and c switch region] and the myc gene [Exons 2 and 3]
Results: As much as 1.85% of the samples were positive for the c constant region and Exon 2 of the myc gene
Conclusion: LD-PCR can be used for the detection of t[8;14] c-myc/IgH gene rearrangement in patients with DLBCL