Fluorescence in situ hybridization in conjunction with karyotyping in detection of cytogenetic abnormalities in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and its prognostic value

Routine cytogenetic analysis frequently fails to identify an abnormal clone in B-cell lymphocytic leukemia [B-CLL] due to poor response to mitogen stimulation. Fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH] suggest that chromosomal abnormalities occur more frequently, most commonly trisomy 12, retinoblastoma gene deletion [Rb 1 gene] and P53 gene deletion. 30 patients with B-CLL were enrolled in the trial from 2 centers in Cairo, Egypt during the period May 2000 to January 2002. Karyotyping and FISH assessment for possible chromosomal abnormalities [trisomy 12, Rh 1 gene and P53 gene] were done at initial diagnosis. Results of cytogenetic abnormalities were correlated with clinical picture and survival. The median age was 57.4 years [range 40-75]. Karyotyping technique showed that no metaphase could be detected in 30%, metaphase with normal karyotyping was observed in 63% and cytogenetic abnormalities were detected in 2 cases [1 trisomy 12 and 1 deletion in chromosome 13]. FISH examination of interphase and metaphase nuclei revealed cytogenetic abnormalities in 15 cases [50%], trisomy 12 in 9 [30%], Rb 1 gene deletion in 5 [17%] and P53 gene deletion in 1. At diagnosis, patients with trisomy 12 were significantly associated with advanced stage and absolute lymphocyte count of >/= 30,000/mm[3]. Univariate analysis showed that absolute lymphocyte count >/= 30,000/mm[3] [p=0.004] and trisomy 12 [p=.024] were associated with poor progression free survival. Interphase and metaphase FISH studies improve the cytogenetic diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities in B-CLL. Lymphocytosis and trisomy 12 might be a good indicator of poor prognosis

Evaluation of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions [NORs] in hodgkin's disease in the head and neck region

In the present study, subjects of Hodjkin's disease [HD] presenting in the head and neck region, were investigated using the AgNORs technique. Quantification of AgNORs staining will allow one to obtain comparative information directly from paraffin section among subtypes of HD. In this study, the AgNORs in both R-S cells and the cellular background were counted/cell in twenty cases of HD, presenting in the head and neck region. From this study it could be concluded that: -At the statistical level, there is an overall agreement with the grading efficiency of the Rye classification. However, AgNOR count might be considered an objective biologic parameter independent of the histological grading at the level of evaluating an individual case.- There is a striking variation in the proliferative activity of the R-S cells in some of the Lymphocytic predominant [LP] cases of HD. It is suggested that the Mixed cellularity [MC] and Lymphocytic depletion [LD] subtypes may be of nearly similar biology potentiality. - The comparatively increased AgNORs count in the surrounding background in some cases might indicate an increased proliferative activity, the nature of which is different from that of the hyperplastic lymph nodes