The detection of specific gene rearrangements in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma using the polymerase chain reaction.

N Corbally,Pa Dervan,Dn Carney,L Grogan

doi:10.1038/bjc.1992.364

Abstract

Characteristic gene rearrangements are present in most non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). These are usually detected by Southern blotting techniques. In this study, the ability of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the t(14;18) chromosomal translocation and immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangement was evaluated. DNA from 14 follicular and 42 diffuse B-cell lymphomas was examined using oligonucleotide primers specific for opposing sides of the IgH gene rearrangement on chromosome 14 (towards conserved VH and JH sequences) and opposing sides of the t(14;18) chromosomal translocation (towards the major breakpoint region of the bcl-2 gene on chromosome 18 and conserved JH sequence on chromosome 14). The t(14;18) translocation was detected in 57% of follicular lymphomas and 21% of diffuse B-cell lymphomas. Clonal IgH gene rearrangements using PCR were detected in 50% follicular and 52% of the diffuse lymphomas. Either or both of these rearrangements were detected in 93% follicular and in 59% of diffuse lymphomas. PCR is a rapid and easy technique that can detect the abnormal rearrangement of the bcl-2 gene and clonal IgH rearrangement, indicating the presence of lymphoma. This may be of benefit in monitoring response to therapy and in predicting prognosis in this disease.

Highlights

A number of chromosomal translocations that occur in B-cell Non Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) are associated with the juxtaposition of oncogenes from their original chromosomes, to sites adjacent to antigen receptor genes e.g. the immunoglobulin gene (Yunis et al, 1982; Dalla-Favera et al, 1982; Taub et al, 1982; Croce & Nowell, 1985)
DNA from 56 biopsy specimens obtained from patients with confirmed NHL, including 42 diffuse lymphomas and 14 follicular lymphomas was subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using the bcl-2IJH and VH/JH primers
Under the PCR conditions, used with an annealing temperature of 61°C, background amplification products consistently appear at approximately 600 bp and greater in most samples (Figure 2; lanes 3-11)

Summary

Introduction

A number of chromosomal translocations that occur in B-cell Non Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) are associated with the juxtaposition of oncogenes from their original chromosomes, to sites adjacent to antigen receptor genes e.g. the immunoglobulin gene (Yunis et al, 1982; Dalla-Favera et al, 1982; Taub et al, 1982; Croce & Nowell, 1985)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion