Cytogenetic Anomaly Screening is Necessary in CLL Patients Before Treatment

Cytogenic anomaly screening should be performed in every patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), according to a study presented at the SOHO 2024 Annual Meeting.

In this retrospective study, researchers assessed 100 patients diagnosed with CLL who were between 18 and 80 years of age. The population of interest was followed in Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Hematology-Oncology Hospital between January 2010 and January 2022.

The study found that over half (56%) of the patients were positive for any cytogenetic abnormality. The most common cytogenetic abnormality observed was 13q14 deletion, which was found to be positive in 40.3% of the patients. The study found 17p deletion to be positive in 17%, 11q deletion in 15.4%, and trisomy 12 in 12.5% of the patients. 17p and 11q deletions were associated with poor prognosis, the researchers noted.

“According to our findings, the presence of cytogenetic abnormalities has an important role in disease risk determination in accordance with the literature. Therefore, cytogenetic anomaly screening should be performed in every patient before treatment. This screening is important for determining the prognosis, stage, and treatment options,” the researchers concluded.

Reference

Golbasi M, Unal A, Ozkul Y, Dundar M, Mandaci S, Akyol G, Keklik M. Frequency of Genetic Mutations in
Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Their Effects on Survival. Abstract #CLL-168. Presented at the Society of Hematologic Oncology Meeting 2024; September 4-7, 2024; Houston, Texas.