IGH/bcl2

The t(14;18) translocation results in juxtaposition of the IgH and bcl-2 genes. This occurs in 90% of follicular lymphoma3,4 and 20-30% of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas1,2. The translocation can be demonstrated by FISH: a probe of one colour is directed against IgH and of a second colour against bcl-25. The fusion signal is evidenced by the bringing together of one signal of each colour.

Diagnostic utility

Confirmation of the diagnosis of follicular lymphoma.

References

1 Huang JZ, Sanger WG, Greiner TC, et al. The t(14;18) defines a unique subset of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with a germinal center B-cell gene expression profile. Blood 2002; 99:2285-90 FULL TEXT

2 Offit K, Koduru PR, Hollis R, et al. 18q21 rearrangement in diffuse large cell lymphoma: incidence and clinical significance. Br J Haematol 1989; 72:178-83

3 Rowley JD. Chromosome studies in the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: the role of the 14;18 translocation. J Clin Oncol 1988; 6:919-25

4 Weiss LM, Warnke RA, Sklar J, et al. Molecular analysis of the t(14;18) chromosomal translocation in malignant lymphomas. N Engl J Med 1987; 317:1185-9

5 Frater JL, Tsiftsakis EK, Hsi ED, et al. Use of novel t(11;14) and t(14;18) dual-fusion fluorescence in situ hybridization probes in the differential diagnosis of lymphomas of small lymphocytes. Diagn Mol Pathol 2001; 10:214-22

This page last revised 16.11.2006.

©SMUHT/PW Bishop