| dc.description.abstract | Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a malignant disease that evolves as a result of
mutation of lymphoid precursor cells. The World Health Organization recognizes that
the genetic analysis of leukaemia has prognostic and therapeutic implications.
Cytogenetic and molecular studies provide important prognostic information and are
becoming important in determining the appropriate treatment protocol.
The aim of this study was to characterise chromosomal aberrations in
acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients attending University Teaching Hospital.
Methodology: This descriptive study was undertaken at the University Teaching
Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia in which blood samples from patients with ALL were
screened for translocations that commonly occur in ALL.
The patients were between the ages of 1 and 72. The children (defined in this
study as patients of ages 15years and below) were 13/19(68%) between the ages 1.6 and
15years (mean age = 9years). Males in this category were 6/13(46%) and the females
were 7/13(54%). The adults in this study were 6/19(32%), they were between ages of 16
and 72years (median age=26.5years). In this category, males were 5/6(83%) and one
female. We detected fusion gene productions in 3 of the 19 participants. Two of the
patients had the t(9:22) translocation while one had the t(1:19) translocation. Other
translocations screened, t(11;23)/MLL-AF4 and t(12;21)/ETV6/RUNX1)were not
detected.
There will be need to carry out this study on a larger scale
nationwide in order to determine the type and frequency of chromosomal aberrations
among acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients in Zambia. Based on the above, recommendation, treatment guideline specific for Zambian population can therefore be
established. | en |
