Frequency and Correlation of Common Genes Copy Number Alterations in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with Prognosis.

Objective: It was shown by genomic profiling that despite no detectable chromosomal abnormalities a proportion of children with pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia harbors copy number alterations (CNA) of genes playing role in B-cell development and function. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of CNA in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia and correlate these findings with clinical outcome.

Methods: DNA extracted from peripheral blood or bone marrow at diagnosis/relapse of fifty newly diagnosed children with precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia was analyzed for CNA with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification.