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Updated: Mar 22, 2026
Immunoglobulin Gene Sequence Analysis In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: From Patient Material To Sequence Interpretation
Published on: November 26, 2018
Characteristics of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in Senegal
Abibatou Sall1, Awa Oumar Touré1, Fatimata Bintou Sall1
1Hematology, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal.
Insights
This study on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in Senegal found that African patients may be diagnosed at a younger age. Data suggests CLL in Senegal might be more aggressive compared to Western populations.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a common mature B-cell neoplasm in Western countries.
- CLL is notably rare in African populations, leading to limited clinical and laboratory data from Sub-Saharan regions.
- Previous studies on CLL in Sub-Saharan Africa are scarce, highlighting a knowledge gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical and laboratory characteristics of Senegalese patients diagnosed with CLL.
- To investigate correlations between clinical indicators like Binet stage and patient demographics, laboratory findings, and chromosomal abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 40 Senegalese patients diagnosed with CLL between July 2011 and April 2015.
- Confirmed diagnoses using cytology and immunophenotyping.
- Assessed prognostic factors including Binet staging, CD38 expression, and cytogenetic abnormalities via FISH analysis.
Main Results:
- The average age of diagnosis was 61 years (range 48-85), with a male-to-female ratio of 3.44:1.
- A significant majority (82.5%) presented with advanced Binet stages B or C.
- CD38 was positive in 28 patients, and 68% of those tested (17/25) exhibited at least one cytogenetic abnormality.
Conclusions:
- Senegalese CLL patients may present at a younger age compared to Western cohorts.
- Findings suggest that CLL in Senegal could exhibit a more aggressive clinical behavior.
- Further research is warranted to understand ethnic variations in CLL presentation and progression.
Background:
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a mature B-cell neoplasm characterized by the expansion of CD5-positive lymphocytes in peripheral blood. While CLL is the most common type of leukemia in Western populations, the disease is rare in Africans. Hence, clinical and laboratory data and studies of CLL in Sub Saharan populations have been limited. The aims of this study were to analyze the characteristics of senegalese patients with CLL at the time of the diagnosis and to identify the correlation between clinical characteristics (Binet stage) with age, gender, laboratory parameters and chromosomal abnormalities.
Methods:
In this study, we investigated the clinical and laboratory characteristics of CLL in Senegal. A total of 40 patients who had been diagnosed with CLL during the period from July 2011 to April 2015 in Senegal were evaluated. Cytology and immunophenotype were performed in all patients to confirm the diagnosis. The prognosis factors such as Binet staging, CD38 and cytogenetic abnormalities were studied. The statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 13 (Stata college station Texas). Each patient signed a free and informed consent form before participating in the study.
Results:
The mean age was 61 years ranged from 48 to 85. There were 31 males and only 9 females (sex ratio M : F = 3,44). At diagnosic, 82.5 % of the patients were classified as having advanced Binet stages B or C. The prognosis marker CD38 was positive in 28 patients. Cytogenetic abnormalities studied by FISH were performed in 25 patients, among them, 68 % (17 cases) had at least one cytogenetic abnormality and 28 % had 2 simultaneous cytogenetic abnormalities.
Conclusion:
Africans may present with CLL at a younger age and our data suggest that CLL in Senegal may be more aggressive than in Western populations.
