SNP array analysis of leukemic relapse samples after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with a sibling donor identifies meiotic recombination spots and reveals possible correlation with the breakpoints of acquired genetic aberrations.

摘要

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with a sibling donor is commonly used for treating hematologic malignancies. Although this procedure is frequently curative, a proportion of the patients eventually suffers a relapse of the original malignancy. Leukemogenesis is associated with acquired genetic aberrations caused by various mechanisms including induction of double-stranded DNA breaks by DNA toposiomerase II poisons followed by non-homologous end joining, recombination between homologous sequences and illegitimate V(D)J recombination. It has been hypothesized that neoplasia-associated breakpoints may correlate with the breakpoints of meiotic events, that is, some parts of the genome are more prone to both meiotic and somatic rearrangements; however, this remains controversial.