# HIGH-RESOLUTION CHROMOSOME ANALYSIS OF ACUTE LEUKEMIA

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 1987 · $89,596

## Abstract

We will perform high-resolution chromosome analysis on bone marrow cells
from a large series of patients with acute leukemia.  A diagnostic,
pre-treatment marrow specimen on each patient will be examined with three
different high-resolution techniques.  The elongated, finely banded
chromosomes obtained with the newer procedures allow more precise
identification of abnormalities.  Detailed karyologic investigations will
be done in conjunction with studies on the strucure and expression of
various oncogenes in leukemic cells from these patients.  We plan to
further assess, on the basis of a large series, whether or not most
patients with acute leukemia have clonal chromosome defects and whether
subtle rearrangements frequently occur.  The finely banded chromosomes will
be used to identify breakpoints more precisely.  The investigation will
determine if high-resolution banding analysis can reveal new subgroups of
patients characterized by a consistent, subtle chromosome change and
distinctive clinicopathologic features.  These findings will be important
in identifying chromosome sites that may carry genes critical to the normal
control of proliferation and differentiation of specific target cells.  One
long-term objective is to relate chromosome defects to changes in the
function and regulation of genes at affected breakpoints.  As an initial
step we will attempt to associate specific chromosome changes with
alterations in the structure and transcription of specific oncogenes.  A
cell bank will be developed as a source of leukemic cells for future
study.  Another long-term objective is to find reliable prognostic
indicators.  Recent evidence suggests that results obtained with different
cytogenetic methods may not be comparable.  A large number of cells will be
carefully examined from each patient which will make it feasible to
quantitatively compare the three different high-resolution techniques with
respect to:  (a) the proportion of abnormal mitoses within individual
specimens; and (b) the overall rate of detection of abnormal clones in the
patient population.  The karyotypic pattern will be correlated with
therapeutic response and survival to determine which high-resolution method
or combination of methods gives the most accurate indication of prognosis.
(K)

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3174050
- **Project number:** 5R01CA036468-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** Z9CRZKD42ZT1
- **Principal Investigator:** Joseph R. Testa
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $89,596
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-01-01 → 1988-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3174050

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3174050, HIGH-RESOLUTION CHROMOSOME ANALYSIS OF ACUTE LEUKEMIA (5R01CA036468-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3174050. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*