Translocation (2;14)(p13;q32) in CD10+;CD13+ acute lymphatic leukemia

The rare t(2;14)(p13;q32) was previously described in three pediatric patients with acute lymphatic leukemia. In these cases this abnormality was found at diagnosis, manifested the sole chromosomal abnormality, and was associated with a favorable prognosis. We here describe three cases of leukemia where such translocations were found at relapse, were associated in two of the cases with additional known characteristic chromosomal aberration, and were associated with a grave prognosis. Interestingly enough, the malignant cells of all three patients shared the same surface antigens: CD34, HLA DR, CD10, CD20, and the myeloid marker CD13. The leukemic clone exhibiting t(2;14) probably evolved from a t(1;19)6q- pre-B acute lymphatic leukemia in one of the cases, and from a chronic phase Phi chromosome in another. The significance of the translocation and the coexistence of CD10 and CD13 on the same cell are discussed.