A high number of losses in 13q14 chromosome band is associated with a worse outcome and biological differences in patients with B-cell chronic lymphoid leukemia

Abstract

Patients with B-cell chronic lymphoid leukemia with a high number of losses in 13q14 as the sole cytogenetic aberration at diagnosis display different clinical and biological features: short overall survival and time to first therapy as well as more proliferation and less apoptosis. A quantification of the number of cells showing a genetic abnormality should, therefore, be included in the study of the prognostic factors of B-cell chronic lymphoid leukemia.