Molecular genetics in acute leukemia.

Improved techniques in identifying the chromosome changes and the affected genes that are involved in acute leukemias have led to improved treatments for these diseases. Identification of consistent chromosomal changes has allowed us to target the location of particular genes and has enabled us to focus our treatments more specifically to certain subtypes of leukemia. Translocations, in particular, are common cytogenetic abnormalities in human leukemia, and the prevalence of certain types of translocations varies with age. Cancers, lymphomas and leukemias are now known to be genetic diseases and it is recognized that genotype-specific therapies should be used that take into account the genetic alterations of the particular leukemia.