Deletion of the 5′‐ABL region: a recurrent anomaly detected by fluorescence <i>in situ</i> hybridization in about 10% of Philadelphia‐positive chronic myeloid leukaemia patients

Abstract

Inclusion of the BCR-ABL ES probe in routine cytogenetics led to the identification of a subgroup of Philadelphia positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukaemia patients characterized by a 5'-ABL deletion. This anomaly was observed in 5/51 cases (9.8%). Cytological and clinical data suggest that the 5'-ABL deletion may be associated with dysplastic features of polymorphonuclear cells and metamyelocytes and a short chronic phase duration.