Overview on Aneuploidy in Childhood B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

Recent years have brought significant progress in the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This was influenced by both the improved schemes of conventionally used therapy, as well as the development of new forms of treatment. As a consequence, 5-year survival rates have increased and now exceed 90% in pediatric patients. For this reason, it would seem that everything has already been explored in the context of ALL. However, delving into its pathogenesis at the molecular level shows that there are many variations that still need to be analyzed in more detail. One of them is aneuploidy, which is among the most common genetic changes in B-cell ALL. It includes both hyperdiploidy and hypodiploidy. Knowledge of the genetic background is important already at the time of diagnosis, because the first of these forms of aneuploidy is characterized by a good prognosis, in contrast to the second, which is in favor of an unfavorable course. In our work, we will focus on summarizing the current state of knowledge on aneuploidy, along with an indication of all the consequences that may be correlated with it in the context of the treatment of patients with B-cell ALL.