Unique secondary chromosomal abnormalities are frequently found in the chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia in southern Vietnam.

During the Vietnam War, southern Vietnam was exposed to a large amount of dioxin, a strong human carcinogen. Although we have observed much shorter survival in southern Vietnamese chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, the cause remains to be clarified. Here, we report cytogenetic and molecular findings for 47 CML patients.

Coexistence of Philadelphia chromosome positive cells with and without der(9) deletion in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Recently, large deletions adjacent to the Philadelphia (Ph) translocation breakpoint on the derivative chromosome 9 have been reported to be found in a substantial number of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The existence of der(9) deletion is reported as a powerful indicator of a poor prognosis. So far, der(9) deletion is considered to be generated when the Ph translocation occurs, because when der(9) deletion is found, it is detected in all the Ph-positive (Ph+) cells of a particular CML patient.

Molecular analysis of beta-thalassemia in South Vietnam.

In Vietnam, the carrier rate for beta-thalassemia varies from 1.5% to 25% depending on the ethnic groups of the population. The molecular basis of beta-thalassemia in South Vietnam was studied in 50 unrelated beta-thalassemia patients.