Identification of new nonrandom translocations in multiple myeloma with multicolor spectral karyotyping

Multicolor spectral karyotyping (SKY) was performed on bone marrow samples from 50 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) in anticipation of discovering new previously unidentified translocations. All samples showed complex karyotypes with chromosome aberrations which, in most cases, were not fully characterized by G-banding. Patients of special interest were those who showed add(14)(q32), add(8)(q24) and those whose G-banding karyotypes showed poor chromosome morphology. Three new recurring chromosome translocations not previously reported in MM were identified. Two of the translocations involve recurring aberrations at band 14q32.3, the site of the IgH locus, with different exchange partners. The most frequently recurring rearrangement was a subtle translocation at 14q32.3 designated as a t(14;16)(q32;q22-23), which was identified in six patients. A second and larger translocation at 14q32, identified in two patients, was designated as a t(9;14)(p13;q32), previously associated with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia and lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma. A third translocation, identified in two patients, involved a whole-arm t(6;8)(p10;q10) translocation. The SKY technique was able to refine the designations of over 156 aberrations not fully characterized by G- banding in this study and resolved additional chromosome aberrations in every patient studied except two. The t(14;16)(q32;q22-23) identified by SKY in this study suggests this may be a frequent translocation in MM associated with complex karyotypes and disease progression. Therefore, the SKY technique provides a useful adjunct to routine G-banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization studies in the cytogenetic analysis of MM.