Detection of t[8;14] c-myc/IgH gene rearrangement by long-distance polymerase chain reaction in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

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