Complex t(8;13;21)(q22;q14;q22)--a novel variant of t(8;21) in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M2).

Variants of the t(8;21)(q22;q22) involving chromosome 8, 21, and other chromosomes account for about 3% of all t(8;21)(q22;q22) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. We report a case of AML-M2 with t(8;13;21)(q22;q14;q22), not reported earlier. Using a dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis with ETO and AML1 probes, we demonstrate an ETO/AML1 fusion signal on the derivative chromosome 8. Whole chromosome painting probes were used for chromosomes 8 and 13, to demonstrate the three-way translocation t(8;13;21)(q22;q14;q22). Involvement of chromosome region 13q14 has never been reported earlier, although region 13q12 as a variant in AML with t(8;21) has been reported earlier. The possible role of genes in this region in leukemogenesis, its response to the treatment and its clinical implications are discussed.