Complex karyotype as a predictor of high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A single center experience over 12 years

A complex karyotype (CK) is considered a poor prognostic marker in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

The study analyzed 644 untreated CLL patients (pts) using conventional/molecular cytogenetics to reveal the presence of a CK and its composition and to assess its predictive value. The mutational status ofTP53 was detected by next generation sequencing.

A CK was detected in 79 pts (12.3%). Patients with a CK showed shorter overall survival (OS) compared to those without a CK (77 months vs. 115 months, p < 0.0001). Chromosomes most frequently included in a CK were 13, 11, 17, 8, 2, and 6. The most common aberrations in a CK were translocations, numerical changes and dicentric chromosomes (with no effect on OS). Patients with aberrations ofTP53 and ATM were shown to have adverse prognosis comparable to patients with a CK without these abnormalities. A stronger impact of a CK on OS of female and older CLL patients was observed.

The determining of the presence of a CK is essential in modern clinical CLL practice. According to recent studies, the presence of a CK affects clinical and treatment decision-making.