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Clinical heterogeneity of de novo 11q deletion chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: prognostic relevance of extent of 11q deleted nuclei inside leukemic clone
Author(s) -
Marasca Roberto,
Maffei Rossana,
Martinelli Silvia,
Fiorcari Stefania,
Bulgarelli Jenny,
Debbia Giulia,
Rossi Davide,
Rossi Francesca Maria,
Rigolin Gian Matteo,
Martinelli Sara,
Gattei Valter,
Del Poeta Giovanni,
Laurenti Luca,
Forconi Francesco,
Montillo Marco,
Gaidano Gianluca,
Luppi Mario
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
hematological oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1099-1069
pISSN - 0278-0232
DOI - 10.1002/hon.2028
Subject(s) - clone (java method) , chromosome , multivariate analysis , clinical significance , hazard ratio , biology , univariate analysis , lymph node , oncology , medicine , gene , genetics , confidence interval
Deletion on the long arm of chromosome 11 occurs in 5–20% of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients. We analysed clinical–biological characteristics of 131 CLL patients carrying 11q deletion documented before therapy ( de novo 11q deleted CLL). De novo 11q deleted CLL were characterized by high frequencies of unmutated immunoglobulin variable heavy genes, multiple fluorescence in situ hybridization aberrations and lymph node involvement. Factors significantly associated with shorter time to first treatment (TTFT) were advanced Binet stages, high white blood cell count, increased β 2 ‐microglobulin levels, 17p in addition, splenomegaly and more extensive lymphadenopathy. We found that patients with <25% 11q deleted nuclei ( n = 22) experienced longer TTFT compared with patients with ≥25% 11q deleted nuclei ( n = 87; median TTFT, 40 vs. 14 months, p = 0.011) and also showed better response to treatments (complete response, 50% vs. 21%, p = 0.016). The variables identified by multivariate analysis as independently associated with reduced TTFT were advanced Binet stages [hazard ratio (HR) 4.69; p < 0.001] and ≥25% 11q deleted nuclei (HR 4.73; p = 0.004). De novo 11q deleted CLLs exhibit variable clinical outcome. The percentage of deleted nuclei inside leukemic clone should be included in the prognostic definition of therapy‐naïve 11q deleted CLL patients. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.