Molecular cytogenetic characteristics of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Objective To explore the molecular cytogenetic characteristics in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia （CLL）. Methods Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH） was used to detect trisomy 12, deletion of 13q14 and 17p13 in 60 patients with CLL. Results Out of the 60 patients, 41 （68.3%） had at least one kind of molecular cytogenetic aberrations. Two （3.3%） had two kinds of abnormalities. Trisomy 12 was found in 12 （20.0%） cases, 13q14 deletion in 24 （40. 0% ） cases and 17p13 deletion in 5 （ 11.7% ） cases. The number of trisomy 12 cells ranged from 4.0% to 34.0%, 13q14 deletion ranged from 22.0% to 93.0% and 17p13 deletion ranged from 6.0% to 68.0%. There was no significant difference among each Binet stages. Conclusion FISH is a more rapid, accurate and sensitive technique in analysis of chromosome aberrations in CLL. FISH may provide accurate information of molecular cytogenetics for CLL. Key words: Leukemia, chronic, lymphocytic;  Fluorescence in situ hybridization;  Chromosome