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Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect an unusual BCR/ABL transcript in a patient who presented with thrombocythaemia and was Philadelphia chromosome positive but weakly reactive to conventional BCR/ABL fusion probes. Sequencing revealed the presence of a 12 bp insert between BCR exon2 (b2) and ABL exon2 (a2). In such cases the use of conventional BCR/ABL probes may lead to false negative results. This is the first report of this transcript. Clinically the patient has responded well to therapy.

Cases with abnormal liver function tests, Bantu blood donors, neonates, Caucasian patients with primary cancer of the liver, and male Bantu mine workers with primary cancer of the liver have been investigated by means of a quantitative alpha-feto-protein (AFP) immunodiffusion assay. No false-positive AFP tests have occurred, and 78% of primary liver cancer patients are positive. More sensitive tests are capable of increasing the positivity rate still further.

Serum alpha fetoproteins (AFP) levels during diethylnitrosamine (DENA) poisoning of baboons were investigated. 3 baboons were started on ip DENA (20 mg/kg) every 2 weeks. After 5 doses this was changed to 5 mg/kg orally 3 times/week. The ip route was abandoned as 8 monkeys given the same dose died of acute yellow atrophy of the liver. Subsequent animals were given DENA orally. Serum AFP levels rose during various stages of the poisoning with DENA before the induction of any liver tumors. AFP peaks were paralleled by rises in the serum alkaline phosphatase. Following a lag of about 150 days there was a sudden spurt of growth alkaline phosphatase reached a peak and a transient increase in AFP was seen. The response to more DENA after Day 560 was very noticeable in the weight record and when the serum AFP rose it was not accompanied by a rise in alkaline phosphatase.