Background: Immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) gene rearrangement, 13q14 deletion and trisomy 1q are frequently observed in Korean patients with multiple myeloma. The purpose of our study was to analyze the statistical correlation between chromosomal aberrations and routine laboratory test results as prognostic markers and to evaluate the potential of chromosomal aberrations for the indirect assessment of prognosis in multiple myeloma patients.
Methods: We investigated the prevalence of cytogenetic aberrations in 41 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Cytogenetic analysis was conducted by conventional karyotyping and FISH for the presence of IGH/CCND1 translocation, 13q14 deletion, and trisomy 1q using bone marrow aspirates. The records of routine laboratory tests were reviewed and their correlation with cytogenetic abnormalities was investigated.
Results: Sixteen (39.0%) of 41 patients had at least one cytogenetic abnormalities in conventional karyotyping or FISH. In FISH analysis of 37 patients, 8 (21.6%) showed positive result for IGH/CCND1 translocation, 8 (21.6%) for trisomy 1q, and 5 (13.5%) for 13q14 deletion. Cytogenetic abnormalities, especially trisomy 1q, were associated with significantly lower hemoglobin level and significantly higher bone marrow plasma cell percentage and beta(2)-microglobulin level.
Conclusions: Statistical correlation between the presence of trisomy 1q and prognostic markers suggests that the evaluation of trisomy 1q in multiple myeloma patients may be used for the indirect assessment of prognosis in these patients.