Pre-B cell leukemia associated with chromosome translocation 1;19

Abstract

Chromosome banding studies on 60 children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), including 'null', pre-B,B, and T cell phenotypes, were performed. In 4 of 17 patients with pre-B cell ALL, we noted a previously undescribed chromosome translocation, t(1;19)(q23;q13). This translocation was not found in patients with 'null' cell, B cell, or T cell ALL. Since each patient with the 1;19 translocation experienced early treatment failure, t(1;19)(q23;q13) may mark a subgroup of patients with pre-B cell ALL who have an especially poor prognosis.