Translocations involving 6p22 in acute myeloid leukaemia at relapse: breakpoint characterization using microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization

The detection of chromosomal aberrations is essential for the diagnosis and therapy of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). We report two cases of de novo AML with translocations involving the breakpoint 6p22 first detected at relapse. Chromosomes were identified by conventional and molecular cytogenetics. At diagnosis, one patient presented a normal karyotype and the other one a trisomy 11 and a del(7)(q31q36). In the first case, cytogenetic analyses at relapse revealed a t(3;6)(q21;p22). The second patient showed a t(1;6)(q21;p22) at relapse. Detailed characterization of the breakpoints on the short arm of chromosome 6 was performed using array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) on a platform specific for chromosome 6. In both cases, array CGH showed a terminal deletion and a small internal duplication of the short arm of chromosome 6. The region 6p22 is involved in several aberrations in tumours. Translocation partners are distributed throughout the human genome. We identified 3q21, a recurrent breakpoint in AML, for the first time as a translocation partner. The fragile site FRA6C, located in 6p22.2, and possibly the genes that reside within it, may play a role in tumorigenesis. The occurrence of translocations involving 6p22 after chemotherapy or radiation therapy suggests that one or more therapeutic agents might play a role in their origin.