Pre-natal, clonal origin of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in triplets

Leuk Lymphoma. 2003 Dec;44(12):2099-102. doi: 10.1080/1042819031000123393.

Abstract

A unique case of ALL in three monozygotic triplets diagnosed at the age of 24, 27 and 37 months is described. Archived bone marrow smears were available for molecular analysis of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) and IGK genes and T-cell receptor (TCR)-delta and gamma gene rearrangements. A shared IGH rearrangement was found in triplets "A" and "B", and an identical rearrangement of TCR-delta in triplets "B" and "C". These data suggest a common, monoclonal initiation of ALL in one of these three triplets, followed by dissemination of clonal progeny to the other twins via vascular anastomoses within the single, monochorionic placenta that they shared in utero. Differences in IGH rearrangements in diagnostic samples also indicates divergent subclonal evolution of the original "pre-leukaemic" clone.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow / metabolism
  • Cell Lineage
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Female
  • Gene Rearrangement*
  • Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte*
  • Gene Rearrangement, gamma-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor
  • Genes, Immunoglobulin / genetics*
  • Genes, T-Cell Receptor delta / genetics
  • Genes, T-Cell Receptor gamma / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / genetics*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / immunology*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Triplets
  • Twins, Monozygotic

Substances

  • IgK
  • Immunoglobulins