Translocation (6;13)(p21;q14.1) as a rare nonrandom cytogenetic abnormality in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is associated with recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities that are important prognostic indicators and may influence treatment choices. Nonetheless, several chromosome abnormalities have not yet been completely determined, because of the low mitotic in vitro activity of B-CLL cells. Now, novel technologies such as stimulation of CLL cells with new B-cell mitogens have helped to overcome this problem. We present here a novel conventional and molecular cytogenetic study of a CLL patient with t(6;13)(p21;q14.1), a rare chromosomal aberration. The findings contribute to the identification of rare recurrent aberrations and of any prognostic effect in CLL that could be used for prognostic and therapeutic purposes. The present study demonstrates that t(6;13)(p21;q14.1) as a secondary event to the interstitial deletion in 13q14 region, resulting in the loss of RB1, is a rare but nonrandom abnormality in CLL, resistant to the current treatment CLL protocols with a rather favorable or intermediate prognosis but definitely not an adverse prognosis. Further studies in more CLL patients are required to delineate the prognostic value of t(6;13)(p21;q14.1) and to identify any candidate genes with potential role in the pathogenesis of the disease.