Ph-positive CML in a family with a constitutional Robertsonian translocation 14;15.

A patient with CML in chronic phase was admitted to our center for bone marrow transplantation. Cytogenetic analysis of bone marrow cells revealed a Ph chromosome due to a standard t(9;22) and a Robertsonian t(14;15). This Robertsonian translocation was also found in PHA-stimulated lymphocytes of the patient's sister, the donor of the bone marrow. A chromosome study of the whole family proved the constitutional character of the t(14;15) abnormality and showed that it was inherited from the father's side. All family members were phenotypically normal with normal mental status. Female carriers of the t(14;15), as well as wives of male carriers, had a high incidence of miscarriages and early death of their offspring. The occurrence of Ph-positive CML in a patient with a Robertsonian t(14;15) might indicate increased risk for the development of leukemia in patients with this constitutional chromosome abnormality. This assumption however, is limited by the rarity of the Robertsonian translocations.