Frequency of TP53 Gene Mutation in CLL

A study published in the Journal of Ayub Medical College shows that TP53 gene mutations were found in 13% of a patient cohort with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which is significant, considering these mutations are linked to more advanced disease stage and aggressive CLL spread. “TP53 mutations, reported in 10% of CLL cases, seem to have a direct correlation to a more advanced stage and aggressive transformation of CLL,” the researchers wrote.

In this retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study, researchers analyzed approximately 140 patients with CLL (69% men; mean age, 56 years). To detect TP53 mutation, they collated 5 mL of whole blood or 1 mL of bone marrow aspirate sample in EDTA tube using the fluorescence in situ hybridization technique. Statistical package for social sciences 21 was used for data entry and analysis, the researchers noted.

Following analysis, the results showed that TP53 gene mutation in patients with CLL was found in 19 patients (13.7%). Among these patients, 10.9% were male and 2.9% were female. The researchers noted that age and gender were not statistically significant with TP53 mutation.