What is a IGHV mutation?

IGHV mutational testing assesses the percentage of sequence variability between the V region of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene in a clonal CLL population compared to the homologous germline V region sequence.

What is the IGHV gene?

IGHV is the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region genes; in B-cell neoplasms like chronic lymphocytic leukemia, mutations of IGHV are associated with better responses to some treatments and with prolonged survival.

What does IgVH mean?

The immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene variable region (IgVH) somatic hypermutation analysis is performed using extracted patient RNA as starting material. Subsequent amplification of the IgH gene is performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Can IGHV mutation status change?

Mutations of the genes codifying for the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHV) of the BCR represent one of the most robust prognostic biomarkers, and, indeed, was one of the first to be identified. IGHV mutations never change over time, and thus represent the fingerprint of the disease.

What is the life expectancy of someone with CLL?

The prognosis of patients with CLL varies widely at diagnosis. Some patients die rapidly, within 2-3 years of diagnosis, because of complications from CLL. Most patients live 5-10 years, with an initial course that is relatively benign but followed by a terminal, progressive, and resistant phase lasting 1-2 years.

What is 17p deletion?

Deletion 17p (del 17p) is a rare genomic aberration found in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

What is FCR chemo?

FCR is a combination of cancer drugs used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). It is made up of the drugs: fludarabine.

What is IGHV unmutated?

Unmutated IGHV gene is a molecular marker associated with poorer prognosis and shorter survival (mean OS = 95 months). Forty to 50 percent of patients will have the unmutated IGHV gene. The remainder are mutated; the prognosis is good and the mean overall survival is 293 months.

Is CLL a terminal?

How common is 17p deletion in CLL?

Chromosome 17p deletion is seen in 5-9% of patients with newly diagnosed CLL; however, it represents the most common genetic aberration (≈50%) in patients with refractory/relapsed CLL. Identification of genomic and molecular markers allows risk stratification and has prognostic value.