Karyotype complexity and VH gene status in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia-related genomic changes were analyzed by karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and V(H) gene sequencing in a prospective clinical evaluation. The V(H) mutational status correlated with high-risk cytogenetic aberrations while no such relation could be demonstrated for specific VH gene usage (V(3-21) and V(1-69)). Complex karyotypes were highly indicative of disease progression.