t(14;19)(q32;q13): A recurrent translocation in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The recurrent t(14; 19)(q32; q13) translocation associated With chronic B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, such as atypical chronic lymphocytic leukemia, results in the juxtaposition of the IGH@ and BCL3 genes and subsequent overexpression of BCL3. We report six patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia who have a cytogenetically identical translocation with different breakpoints at the molecular level. Fluorescence in situ hybridization with locus-specific probes confirmed the involvement of the IGH@ gene but showed that the breakpoint on 19q13 lay outside the region documented in t(14; 19)(q32; q13)-positive chronic lymphocytic leukemia; This newly described tran location constitutes a distinct cytogenetic subgroup that is confined to older children and younger adults with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.