The "Philadelphia Chromosome," discovered in 1960, is a genetic abnormality found in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. The distinctive spelling of the term can be explained through its IPA phonetic transcription: /ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə krəʊməˌsoʊm/. The word "Philadelphia" is stressed on the second syllable, with the "a" pronounced as "ɛ." The second part of the word, "chromosome," has stress on the first syllable, with the "o" pronounced as "əʊ." Overall, the spelling and pronunciation both pay tribute to the city where the abnormality was first discovered.
The Philadelphia Chromosome is a genetic abnormality that is characteristic of the majority of cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). It is a specific chromosomal translocation that occurs when a piece of chromosome 9 fuses with a piece of chromosome 22. As a result, a new hybrid chromosome called the Philadelphia Chromosome is formed.
The Philadelphia Chromosome occurs due to the reciprocal translocation between the long arms of both chromosomes 9 and 22, resulting in a shortened chromosome 22 and a lengthened chromosome 9. This translocation specifically involves the breakpoints known as ABL1 (on chromosome 9) and BCR (on chromosome 22). The fusion of the ABL1 gene from chromosome 9 with the BCR gene from chromosome 22 causes the production of an abnormal protein called BCR-ABL1.
The BCR-ABL1 protein has a constitutively activated tyrosine kinase enzyme, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation. This abnormal protein is responsible for the development of CML, as it disrupts normal cellular processes and inhibits apoptosis (programmed cell death), leading to the accumulation of immature white blood cells.
The detection of the Philadelphia Chromosome is an important diagnostic marker for chronic myelogenous leukemia and allows for targeted treatment through the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Without treatment, CML can progress to an accelerated phase and then to a blast crisis, which is often fatal. Therefore, understanding the Philadelphia Chromosome is crucial for the diagnosis, management, and treatment of CML.
The term "Philadelphia Chromosome" was coined based on its discovery in Philadelphia in the 1960s. It is a chromosomal abnormality that was first identified by two researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Peter Nowell and David Hungerford, in 1960. They observed a smaller than normal chromosome in the leukemia cells of patients with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), which became known as the "Philadelphia Chromosome". The name "Philadelphia" was simply a reference to the city where the discovery was made.