Baseline and treatment-induced chromosomal abnormalities in peripheral blood lymphocytes of Hodgkin's lymphoma patients.

Purpose: To study chromosomal abnormalities in 49 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), before and after treatment and at several times during a 2-year period.

Methods And Materials: Simple chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and complex chromosomal rearrangements (CCRs) were counted in peripheral lymphocytes by painting of chromosomes 1, 3, and 4 (fluorescence in situ hybridization). A control population was composed of 20 healthy donors and 69 untreated cancer patients who had undergone various radiologic scans.

Results: A greater frequency (p < 10(-4)) of spontaneous cytogenetic abnormalities was observed in untreated HL patients compared with the control populations. CCRs were observed exclusively in the HL population (p < 10(-4)). Chemotherapy was associated with a significant increase in the frequency of CAs (p < 10(-4)), according to the chemotherapy regimen (p = 0.002). Immediately after radiotherapy, a significant increase (p < 10(-4)) was observed in CAs according to the size of the irradiation field. Conversely, the significant increases in the frequency of CCRs observed after treatment did not correlate with the chemotherapy regimens, radiotherapy dose, or size of the irradiation field. The evolution of CAs vs. CCRs over time was also dissociated: during the follow-up of these patients, a significant decrease was observed in the frequency of CAs at 6 months and 1 and 2 years. In contrast, after an initial decrease for up to 6 months after treatment, the frequency of CCRs remained constant for up to 2 years.

Conclusion: Increased cytogenetic abnormalities were observed in untreated HL patients compared with the control populations. The greater frequency of cytogenetic abnormalities persisted in some patients. The presence of CCRs supports the concept of a unique genetic environment in HL patients that persists in response to potentially noxious treatments.