Translocation 11;14 in three children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia of T-cell origin

Clinical, karyotypic, immunophenotypic, and molecular profiles of three TALL cases carrying a t(11;14) are discussed and compared with data in the literature. As previously reported, t(11;14)(p13;q11) was associated in one patient with a TALL profile of intermediate stage of maturation (CD7 +, CD4 +, CD8 +). However, the same translocation was found to be present in another patient with a more immature, pro-TALL profile (CD7 +, CD4 -, CD8 -). Both patients showed molecular rearrangements of the TCR beta chain gene. A third patient, with a very immature pro-TALL profile (CD34+, CD7 +, CD4-, CD8-), carrying a t(11;14) (p15;q11), showed molecular rearrangements of the TCR beta and gamma chain genes, while the IgH chain genes were in germline configuration. Our data indicate that t(11;14) can also be present in TALLs of more immature stages of intrathymic development; the significant factor determining the clinical behavior of TALLs is apparently related more to cell differentiation than to the presence of this chromosome rearrangement.