Philadelphia chromosome frequency in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Abstract

Introduction: The BCR-ABL fusion oncogene, a product of the Philadelphia chromosome t(9; 22), is relatively rare in chilÂdren with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Its presence is indicative of a poor prognosis. Objective: To determine the frequency of Philadelphia chromosome in children with ALL at the Pediatric Hospital of Sinaloa, Mexico. Material and methods: Nine-year records (2008-2017) of RT-PCR experiments for BCR-ABL of patients diagnosed with ALL were reviewed. Results: Of 138 patients with ALL, three Philadelphia chromosome positive patients (2.17%) were identified. These three patients were male, aged two to eight years, and were classified as having high-risk ALL. Although they have presented relapses, currently all three are alive and remain in treatment. Conclusion: The frequency of 2.17% of the Philadelphia chromosome in children with ALL that we found in this study, is similar to the figures described in other countries.