Cytogenetic analysis of 52 Indian patients with de novo myelodysplastic syndromes?a comparative analysis of results with reports from Asia

Abstract

Most published data on myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are derived from Western countries, which report MDS as a disease of the elderly. However, it was observed that Asian MDS patients were younger than subjects in Western reports. With this in mind, the study was conducted prospectively on 52 Indian patients to define chromosomal abnormalities and to understand ethno-geographical differences, if any, underlying the pathogenesis of MDS among this Asian population. Cytogenetic analysis was performed using GTG banding and karyotyped according to the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISCN). The incidence of MDS was predominant in the age group of 41-60 years (44.23%), with a median age at diagnosis of 55 years. The disease was more frequent in males (33 patients, 63.46%) than females (19 patients, 36.53%). Of 48 patients successfully karyotyped, 17 had normal karyotype (35.4%) and 31 patients (64.5%) had a chromosomal abnormality. The most frequent chromosome abnormalities were del 5q/-5 in 13 patients (42%), -7/7q- in 10 patients (32.2%), +8 and del 20q- in 6 cases each (19.3%) and i(17)(q10) in 1 patient (3.2%). In addition to these non-random chromosomal abnormalities, some rare abnormalities were also encountered. A higher rate of transformation to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) was observed in the Chinese population compared to other Asian countries. The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities varied considerably across the different Asian populations. The overall frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in our study was comparable to most Western reports. Further prospective studies are warranted to elucidate precisely the ethnic differences in the pathogenesis of MDS in the Indian population.

Cytogenetic Features of Elderly Turkish Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients

“…MDS prevalence increases with age, and the median age of patients at the time of diagnosis varies between 65 and 74 years (17). In our study, the median age of patients was 67 years.…”

“…Few reports have indicated geographical and ethnic differences in the frequency of specific chromosomal changes. The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities was between 37% and 88% in India and varied between 37% and 50% in China, Hong Kong, and Japan (17,18). Also, Haase et al (19) reported that the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities was 49% in Austria and Germany.…”

First Cytogenetic Profile of Omani Patients with de novo Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Comparison with data from Asia, Africa, Europe and North and South America

“…13,14 Complex aberrations have been more frequently observed in Indian patients as compared to those from other Asian countries. 13 As such, ethnic and/or geographical differences could be heterogeneous and contribute to clinical, cytogenetic or molecular events leading to MDS. Available reports on the incidence of MDS mostly originate from European countries, although major studies have been conducted in Japan.…”

“…13 In addition, the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities varies between 37-50% in China, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan. 13,14 Complex aberrations have been more frequently observed in Indian patients as compared to those from other Asian countries.…”

“…13 In addition, the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities varies between 37-50% in China, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan. 13,14 Complex aberrations have been more frequently observed in Indian patients as compared to those from other Asian countries. 13 As such, ethnic and/or geographical differences could be heterogeneous and contribute to clinical, cytogenetic or molecular events leading to MDS.…”