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Deletion of chromosome 17p (del 17p) and other mutations of the tumor-suppressor gene (TP53) are associated with poor treatment responses and short survival in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). To investigate the underlying mechanisms, investigators analyzed expression of microRNA-34 (miR-34), a known target of p53 and a regulator of several pathways involved in apoptosis and the cell cycle. Lymphocyte samples from 60 CLL patients in Germany were characterized with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and assessed for TP53 mutations and miR-34 expression.
Analysis showed that del 17p was associated with low miR-34a expression, impaired DNA-damage response, impaired apoptosis, and poor clinical response to fludarabine. Lo…