Fluorescence in situ hybridization characterization of new translocations involving TEL (ETV6) in a wide spectrum of hematologic malignancies.

The ETV6 (also known as TEL) gene on chromosome 12p13 is the target of a number of translocations associated with various hematologic malignancies. The contribution of ETV6 to leukemogenesis occurs through different mechanisms that involve either its helix-loop-helix dimerization domain or its E26 transformation-specific (ETS) DNA-binding domain. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization we characterized seven new ETV6 rearrangements in chronic myeloid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.