Incidence of chromosomal anomalies detected with FISH and their clinical correlations in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is the most common adult leukemia. Molecular genetic characterization of B-CLL has made significant progress and typical chromosomal anomalies have been assessed. The most frequent chromosomal abnormalities are deletions at 13q14, 17p13, and 11q22 approximately q23 and trisomy 12. The aim of this study was to establish incidence of chromosomal changes in bone marrow or peripheral blood cells (or both) of B-CLL patients using a molecular cytogenetic method, interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (I-FISH), and to evaluate the prognostic implications. We performed I-FISH on bone marrow and blood smears from 217 B-CLL patients (124 male, 93 female). Trisomy 12 was found in 35 of the 217 (16%); deletion 13q14 was analyzed in 207 patients and found in 112 (54%). Deletion 17p13 was found in 34 (16%) out of 206 examined. Deletion of 11q23 was analyzed in 56 patients and was present in 7 (12%). Statistical analyses were performed to correlate the molecular-cytogenetic findings with disease status (stable versus progressive), Rai stage, CD38/CD19 antigen coexpression, immunoglobulin variable heavy chain (IgV(H)) mutational pattern, and other clinical and laboratory parameters. No apparent differences in distribution were noted for anomalies +12, del(13)(q14), or del(17)(p13) among patients with stable and progressive disease, and no consistent pattern in the distribution of type of genomic changes were found among various Rai stages and in CD38/CD19-positive or -negative patients. Patients without IgV(H) mutation had a worse prognosis; however, distribution of chromosomal abnormalities identified with FISH was the same for patients with and without IgV(H) mutations.