Association of 13q14 deletion with clinico-laboratory parameters in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL)

Summary. A deletion of chromosome band 13q14 (13q-) detected by ? uorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis is the single most common cytogenetic abnormality in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In our study we disccused the incidence of molecular-cytogenetic deletion of 13q14 marker in BCLL in order to determine the association of this aberration with clinical manifestation, laboratory parameters and poor disease prognosis. Patients with 13q14 aberrations were signio cantly older. They had ZAP (+) status, rapid disease progression and therapy dependency. A determination of 13q14 genetic abnormality should, therefore, be included in the investigations of the prognostic factors of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.