Biallelic deletion 13q14.3 in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: cytogenetic, FISH and clinical studies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Monoallelic deletion of 13q14.3 (13q14x1) is the most common abnormality in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). As a sole alteration, it predicts a favorable outcome. Biallelic 13q14.3 (13q14x2) deletion or concomitant 13q14x1/13q14x2 has been scarcely evaluated in the literature. We present the clinical, cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of six CLL patients with normal karyotypes and 13q14x2 and their comparison to cases with 13q14x1 as a single abnormality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 103 CLL patients were studied. Cytogenetic and FISH analysis were performed on stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes. Specific fluorescence DNA probes for CLL were used. RESULTS: Six out of 103 (5.8%) patients showed normal karyotypes and 13q14x2. It was observed as a single alteration in one patient and combined with 13q14x1 in five cases. Biallelic clones were larger than monoallelic ones in 3/5 patients (60%). The comparison of clinical and hematological data between 13q14x1 and 13q14x2 groups showed progression of the disease in all 13q14x2 patients respect to 12/32 (37.5%) cases with 13q14x1 (P = 0.008), significant differences in the distribution by Rai stage (P = 0.042) and a tendency of a higher lactate dehydrogenase level in 13q14x2 patients (P = 0.054). Treatment free survival for 13q14x2 group was 28.5 months, shorter than those observed in patients with 13q14x1 alone (49 months). CONCLUSIONS: Our data would suggest that 13q14x2 could represent a more aggressive FISH anomaly than 13q14x1 alone, probably as a consequence of clonal evolution and/or due to the complete inactivation of this critical region by mean of more complex mechanisms.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia developing in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia: evidence of distinct lineage-associated genomic events.

We describe the cytogenetic, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and molecular findings in a patient who developed a typical chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) 20 months after the diagnosis of a Philadelphia (Ph)-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Unstimulated bone marrow culture showed a 46,XX,t(9;22)(q34;q11) karyotype, and interphase FISH detected the presence of a BCR/ABL fusion signal in 13% of cells. On stimulated bone marrow culture, a normal karyotype and a 13q14 deletion by interphase FISH with D13S319 probe in 14% of the cells were found. Molecular studies detected the chimeric BCR/ABL messengers by nested reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The B-cellular clone was documented by the presence of a clonal heavy chain immunoglobulin rearrangement. The coexistence of these two hematologic malignancies leads to questions about their cell(s) of origin. We provide evidence that CLL arose in a Ph-negative clone. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Interphase cytogenetic analysis in Argentinean B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients: association of trisomy 12 and del(13q14).

We have evaluated genomic aberrations by conventional cytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis in a series of 57 Argentinean B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patients. The studies were performed on stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes. FISH analysis for trisomy 12, 13q14 deletion, and monosomy of TP53 (also known as p53) was performed according to standard protocols. Our results showed 46.3% of patients with clonal chromosomal alterations by conventional cytogenetics and 80.7% by FISH. Trisomy 12 was found in 21.9% of patients by G-banding analysis and in 35% by FISH studies. Allelic loss of 13q14 was observed in 63.2% patients, most of them showing D13S319 and D13S25 deletion; 11% of patients showed TP53 monosomy. Coexistence of trisomy 12 and 13q14 deletion was found in 17.5% of patients. In this group, deletion 13q14 was the prevalent clone, with percentages 25-35% higher than those observed for trisomy 12, suggesting clonal evolution. The coexistence of trisomy 12 with deletion 13q14 was observed in a higher frequency than reported in the literature. A probable adverse prognosis is suggested for this group of patients, likely related to clonal evolution.

Evaluation of constitutional chromosome aberrations in hematologic disorders.

We have reviewed 4164 patients with various hematologic disorders cytogenetically studied in our laboratory during the last 25 years to analyze the frequency of constitutional chromosome aberrations (CCA) and to evaluate their association with hematologic malignancies. Our population of patients included 1133 pediatric patients and 3031 adults. Twenty-four (0.58%) cases showed CCA. They included four patients with Robertsonian translocations, one patient with a balanced translocation, two patients with sex chromosome abnormalities, and 17 cases with Down syndrome (DS). Nonsignificant differences among the frequency of patients with CCA from our hematologic series and those observed in the two largest combined surveys of livebirth published (0.65-0.84%) were found. The incidence of DS patients in our population (0.41%) was approximately three times higher than of that observed at birth (0.12-0.17%; P<0.001). The total incidence of constitutional chromosome abnormalities in the non-DS hematologic patients was 0.168% (7 of 4164) lower than of that observed in the newborn population (0.51-0.67%; P<0.001). Nonsignificant differences were found when the incidences of structural aberrations and sex chromosome anomalies were individually compared with the data of the overall population. Our results suggest that the presence of a CCA, other than DS, would not predispose patients to hematologic malignancies.

[Evolution of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: predictive value of immunophenotype, soluble CD23 and morphology]. / Evolución de la leucemia linfática crónica. Valor predictivo del inmunofenotipo, el CD23 soluble y la morfología.

UNLABELLED: Some prognostic factors are useful in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): lymphocyte doubling time, clinical stage and bone marrow pattern infiltration, while others, such as the percentage of CD38+ cells, are under study and require confirmation. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether there is an association between morphology, lymphocyte immunophenotype, soluble CD23 (sCD23) and progression free survival (PFS). A total of 36 non-treated patients were enrolled. We analysed prospectively: morphology (typical, mixed and PL-CLL); immunophenotypic profile (Matutes score); sCD23 plasma levels; clinical stage; lymphocyte doubling time; beta 2 microglobulin and karyotype abnormalities. Disease progression (need of treatment, progression to advanced stages, development of bulky organomegaly) and death related to disease were considered as events. Md of follow-up 24 mo. RESULTS: Stage 0: 11/36, PFS 80%; I: 10/36 PFS 90%; II: 13/36; III and IV: 2/36. SLE > or = II PFS 37%. p = 0.023. Lymphocyte doubling time < 12mo. 7/31; > 12mo. 24/31. PFS 28% vs. 80% p < 0.001. Karyotype: normal 13/28, abnormal 15/28. PFS 92% vs. 54% p = 0.053. Trisomy 12: positive 7/30, negative 23/30, PFS 66% vs. 65%. beta 2 microglobulin: normal 9/35; high 26/35. PFS 100% vs. 53% p = 0.006. sCD23 < 350 Ul/ml: 15/32; > 350 Ul/ml: 17/32. PFS 92% vs. 53% p = 0.005. Immunophenotype: Score 5: 15/36, Score 4: 19/36, PFS 64%. Score 3: 2/36. p = 0.516. Morphology: typical 17/35, mixed 17/35, PFS 81% vs. 57%, p = 0.099. PL-CLL 1/35. CONCLUSIONS: sCD23 was suitable to predict PFS, specially useful for early stages without additional markers of active disease. Morphology (excluding PL-CLL) and immunophenotype, two common tools, were not useful for the study purpose.

Structural aberrations of chromosomes 17 and 12 in chronic B-cell disorders.

OBJECTIVES: Genomic aberrations can now be identified in approximately 80% of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) patients. In the present study, four new structural changes involving chromosomes 17 and 12 in CLL/SLL patients are described. METHODS: Five patients were selected for inclusion in the present report among a total of 92 cases with diagnosis of CLL/SLL. Cytogenetic studies and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis to detect some of the most frequent cryptic aberrations occurring in CLL/SLL patients were performed. Clinical studies are also described. RESULTS: Four cases showed structural rearrangements of chromosome 17. A psu dic(17;2)(p11.2;p21), leading to p53 deletion, was observed in a patient who developed a mixed cellularity Hodgkin's disease coexisting with the CLL/SLL in the same lymph node. Epstein Barr virus was detected in the Reed-Sternberg cells. Two cases had a balanced translocation t(2;17)(p21;q23). Both patients showed trisomy 12 and clonal evolution and one of them also had 11q deletion. In addition, a der(17)t(12;17)(q13;q25) as a part of a complex karyotype, and a complex translocation t(5;12;19) (q15;p11;q13) were also found. Four patients had an adverse clinical outcome and died because of disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: Four unreported nonrandom chromosome aberrations in CLL/SLL patients, one of them who might represent a new recurrent abnormality, are described. These uncommon abnormalities, mostly associated with evolving disease, may have implications for the understanding of genetic events associated with disease progression in this pathology.

Cytogenetic, FISH, and molecular studies in a case of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia with karyotypic evolution.

We report the clinical, cytogenetic, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and molecular findings in a 54-yr-old male patient diagnosed with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), who showed progression to a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (Richter's syndrome). Genetic studies were performed at diagnosis and during the Richter's transformation (RT). A clonal karyotype with two dicentric chromosomes, psu dic(12,21)(q24;q10) and dic(17,18)(p11.2;p11.2), was found. Both rearrangements were confirmed by FISH. Molecular cytogenetics analysis using p53 probe showed monoallelic loss of this tumor suppressor gene in 43.8% and 77.3% of cells for the first and the second studies, respectively). In both studies, deletions of D13S319 (18% and 12% of cells) and D13S25 loci (13% and 12% of cells) at 13q14 were found. Polymerase chain reaction analysis showed the MBR/JH rearrangement of the bcl-2 gene. FISH studies using LSI bcl-2/IgH probe allowed quantifying the clonal cell population with this rearrangement (4% and 6.6% of cells at diagnosis and RT, respectively). To our knowledge, this is the first case with a psu dic(12,21) described in B-CLL. The low percentage of cells with the 13q14 deletion and bcl-2/IgH rearrangement suggests that they were secondary events that resulted from clonal evolution. Our patient had a short survival (9 months) and a clear lack of response to several therapeutic agents, confirming the association of p53 gene deletion and karyotypic evolution with disease progression.

Evolucion de la leucemia linfatica cronica: valor predictivo del inmunofenotipo, el CD23 soluble y la morfologia / Evolution of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: predictive value of immunophenotype, soluble CD23 and morphology

Some prognostic factors are useful in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): lymphocyte doubling time, clinical stage and bone marrow pattern infiltration, while others, such as the percentage of CD38+ cells, are under study and require confirmation. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether there is an association between morphology, lymphocyte immunophenotype, soluble CD23 (sCD23) and progression free survival (PFS). A total of 36 non-treated patients were enrolled. We analysed prospectively: morphology (typical, mixed and PL-CLL); immunophenotypic profile (Matutes score); sCD23 plasma levels; clinical stage; lymphocyte doubling time; beta 2 microglobulin and karyotype abnormalities. Disease progression (need of treatment, progression to advanced stages, development of bulky organomegaly) and death related to disease were considered as events. Md of follow-up 24 mo. RESULTS: Stage 0: 11/36, PFS 80%; I: 10/36 PFS 90%; II: 13/36; III and IV: 2/36. SLE > or = II PFS 37%. p = 0.023. Lymphocyte doubling time < 12mo. 7/31; > 12mo. 24/31. PFS 28% vs. 80% p < 0.001. Karyotype: normal 13/28, abnormal 15/28. PFS 92% vs. 54% p = 0.053. Trisomy 12: positive 7/30, negative 23/30, PFS 66% vs. 65%. beta 2 microglobulin: normal 9/35; high 26/35. PFS 100% vs. 53% p = 0.006. sCD23 < 350 Ul/ml: 15/32; > 350 Ul/ml: 17/32. PFS 92% vs. 53% p = 0.005. Immunophenotype: Score 5: 15/36, Score 4: 19/36, PFS 64%. Score 3: 2/36. p = 0.516. Morphology: typical 17/35, mixed 17/35, PFS 81% vs. 57%, p = 0.099. PL-CLL 1/35. CONCLUSIONS: sCD23 was suitable to predict PFS, specially useful for early stages without additional markers of active disease. Morphology (excluding PL-CLL) and immunophenotype, two common tools, were not useful for the study purpose

Deleción bialética de 13q14: un nuevo factor pronóstico en leucemia linfocítica crónica? / Bialelic deletion of 13q14: a new factor in forecast chronic lymphocytic leukemia?

La pérdida monoalélica de la banda 13q14.3 (13q14x1) es la anomalía más frecuente de la leucemia linfocítica crónica (LLC), asociada a buen pronóstico. La deleción bialélica de 13q14.3 (13q14x2) es un evento escasamente evaluado. En este trabajo se analizan las características clínicas, citogenéticas y citomoleculares de 8 pacientes con 13q14x2, de un total de 95 casos (8,4% ) (4 mujeres, edad media 64,7 años; rango 47.77 años). Cinco pacientes habían fallecido al momento de este análisis. Se realizó cultivo de sangre periférica con estimulación mitogénica. Se efectuó FISH (Fluorescence in situ hybridization) empleando las sondas: centromérica del cromosoma 12 y locus específica de: D13S319 (13q14), ATM (llq22) y TP53 (17p13). Cinco casos presentaron cariotipo normal y 3 mostraron otras anomalías: + 12, i(17)(q10) y cariotipo complejo. Seis casos mostraron concomitantemente 13q14x1 y 13q14x2. El análisis por grupo de riesgo citogenético mostró progresión de la enfermedad en los casos con cariotipo normal y 13q14x2 respecto del 38,7% de los pacientes con 13q14x1 (p

Análisis de factores pronósticos en leucemia linfática crónica. Valor predictivo del inmunofenotipo, el CD23 soluble y la morfología / Predictive factors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Value of immunophenotype, SCD23 and morphology

En LLC se reconocen factores pronósticos útiles como la duplicación linfocitaria, el estadio clínico y el patrón de infiltración medular. Otros, como el porcentaje de células CD38+, están en estudio y requieren confirmación. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar si existe asociación entre morfología, inmunofenotipo linfocitario, CD23 soluble (SL) y sobrevida libre de eventos (SLE). Se evaluaron prospectivamente 36 pacientes sin tratamiento. Se determinaron: morfología típica, mixta y LLC-PL; inmunofenotipo linfocitario (score de Matutes); niveles plasmáticos de CD23 SL; estadio clínico, duplicación linfocitaria; ß2 microglobulina y alteraciones citogenéticas. Se consideró evento: progresión de enfermedad (necesidad de tratamiento, evolución a estadios avanzados, desarrollo de organomegalia voluminosa) y muerte por enfermedad. Mediana de seguimiento 24 meses. Resultados: estadio 0: 11/36, SLE 80 por ciento; I: 10/36 SLE 90 por ciento; II: 13/36: III y IV: 2/36. SLE >= II 37 por ciento. p= 0.023. Duplicación linfocitaria: <12m 7/31, >12m 24/31. SLE 28 por ciento vs 80 por ciento p<0.001. Citogenético: normal 13/28; anormal 15/28. SLE 92 por ciento vs 54 por ciento p=0.053. +12 positiva 7/30, negativa 23/30. SLE 65 por ciento vs 66 por ciento. ß2 microglobulina normal 9/35, elevada 26/35; SLE 100 por ciento vs 53 por ciento p=0.006. D23 SL < 350 Ul/ml 15/32, > 350 Ul/ml 17/32. SLE 92 por ciento vs 53 por ciento p=0.005. Inmunofenotipo: Score 5: 15/36, Score 4: 19/36, SLE 64 por ciento. Score 3: 2/36. p=0.516. Morfología típica 17/35, mixta 17/35. SLE 81 por ciento vs. 57 por ciento p=0.099. LLC-PL 1/35. El CD 23 SL resultó adecuado para predecir SLE, particularmente útil en estadios iniciales sin otros marcadores de actividad. La morfología y el fenotipo linfocitario, dos variables accesibles, no fueron útiles para el propósito del estudio.