Chromosomal abnormalities in secondary MDS and AML. Relationship to drugs and radiation with specific emphasis on the balanced rearrangements.

Abstract

Specific balanced chromosome aberrations in t-MDS and t-AML involving chromosome bands 11q23 and 21q22, inv(16), t(15;17), and t(9;22) are all significantly associated with previous therapy with DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors, as compared to the uncharacteristic balanced aberrations most commonly observed after therapy with alkylating agents. Younger age and not a specific type of DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor seems to predispose specifically to development of t-MDS and t-AML with translocations to chromosome band 11q23.