The clinical relevance of t(14; 18)/BCL-2 rearrangement and DEL 6q in diffuse large cell lymphoma and immunoblastic lymphoma

• Published in: Annals of oncology 1993-01, Vol.4 (1), p.51-54
• Main Authors: Romaguera, J. E., Pugh, W., Luthra, R., Goodacre, A., Cabanillas, F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; BCL-2; Chromosome Deletion; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6; cytogenetics; DEL 6q; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gene Rearrangement - genetics; Humans; Karyotyping; lymphoma; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse - genetics; Male; Middle Aged; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma - genetics; Remission Induction; Translocation, Genetic - genetics; Treatment Failure
• ISSN: 0923-7534; 1569-8041
• DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.annonc.a058361

Background: t(14; 18)/bcl-2 gene rearrangement (R) is claimed to impart a worse rate of complete remission and disease-free survival in diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL). DEL 6q has also been associated with poor outcome. Design: Retrospective study of 54 patients with either diffuse large cell or immunoblastic lymphoma who had cytogenetics and/or molecular studies performed. Results: Patient characteristics, complete remission rate, and time to treatment failure (TTF) were similar at three year follow-up for groups with and without t(14; 18)/BCL-2R Survival was worse for the former but the difference was not statistically significant. For DEL 6q, patient characteristics and survival rates were similar at three year follow-up for patients with and without the abnormality. TTF was worse for the former but this was not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study, with equal or greater number of patients with t(14; 18) than previous reports, fails to show a worse prognosis for patients with the t(14; 18) chromosomal abnormality. A definite association will await further accrual of patients and a meaningul multivariate analysis.