Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 3, 2026
Chromosome Preparation From Cultured Cells
Published on: January 28, 2014
Evaluation of Cytogenetic Abnormalities in Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Pavan Reddy1, Ramesh Shankar2, Teena Koshy3
11Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar, Chennai, 600020 India.
Insights
This study on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in India found that achieving remission after chemotherapy and having favorable cytogenetics significantly improve survival. Adults with ALL had worse outcomes compared to children.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a common childhood cancer and a significant cause of adult leukemia.
- Cytogenetic abnormalities play a crucial role in ALL prognosis and treatment strategies.
- Understanding the spectrum of cytogenetic findings in Indian ALL patients is vital for localized treatment protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the cytogenetics of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in a tertiary Indian center.
- To correlate cytogenetic findings with clinical factors and patient survival.
- To compare Indian ALL cytogenetic data with international findings.
Main Methods:
- Karyotyping using standard G-banding technique on bone marrow samples from 204 newly diagnosed ALL patients.
- Collection and analysis of clinical data, including age, sex, immunophenotype, and remission status.
- Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests, with univariate and multivariate analyses.
Main Results:
- Normal karyotype was most common (39.7%), followed by hyperdiploidy (12.7%), t(9;22) (4.4%), and t(1;19) (3.9%).
- Adults with ALL exhibited poorer survival than pediatric patients (HR 3.62; p < 0.001).
- Morphologic remission post-chemotherapy (HR 4.86; p < 0.001) and favorable cytogenetics (HR 0.36; p < 0.05) were significant survival predictors.
Conclusions:
- Morphologic remission is the most critical predictor of survival in ALL.
- Favorable cytogenetics and achieving remission significantly improve overall survival in ALL patients.
- Incidence of certain abnormalities like MLL gene rearrangement and t(12;21) differed from Western data, but overall cytogenetic patterns were consistent with other Indian centers.
Abstract:
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) accounts for 20% of all adult leukemias and is the most common leukemia during childhood (80%). We present data on cytogenetics of ALL from a tertiary centre in India correlating it with clinical factors. Karyotyping of bone marrow samples of 204 patients with newly diagnosed ALL was performed with standard G-banding technique. Clinical data of patients was obtained from case records. Survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meir curves and compared by the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analysis was done for survival with age, sex, immunophenotype, hyperleukocytosis, risk type, remission status and cytogenetics. The most common karyotypes observed were normal in 39.7% (N = 81), hyperdiploidy in 12.7% (N = 26), t(9;22) in 4.4% (N = 9), t(1;19) in 3.9% (N = 8). Adults with ALL had worse survival compared with pediatric patients (HR 3.62; 2.03-6.45 95% CI, p < 0.001). Patients not in morphologic remission after induction chemotherapy fared poorly (HR 4.86; 2.67-8.84 95% CI, p < 0.001). Patients with favourable cytogenetics had better overall survival (HR 0.36; 0.12-1.05 95% CI, p < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, achievement of morphologic remission emerged as single most significant predictor of survival (p < 0.001). MLL gene rearrangement and t(12;21) were seen less commonly as compared to Western data. However, incidence rates of various cytogenetic abnormalities were similar to that reported from other centres from India. Age, morphologic remission at end of induction chemotherapy and favourable cytogenetics correlated significantly with survival.
More Related Videos
09:01Flow Cytometry to Estimate Leukemia Stem Cells in Primary Acute Myeloid Leukemia and in Patient-derived-xenografts, at Diagnosis and Follow Up
Published on: March 26, 2018
06:08Assessment of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell-Associated Toxicities Using an Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patient-Derived Xenograft Mouse Model
Published on: February 10, 2023
