A comprehensive study of TP53 mutations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Analysis of 1287 diagnostic and 1148 follow-up CLL samples

TP53 plays a pivotal role in the process of DNA repair and apoptosis. In 10-20% of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the TP53 pathway is affected. In this study, we analyzed the TP53 mutation status in 2435 consecutive CLL samples, including 1287 diagnostic samples and 1148 samples during follow-up, using FASAY (Functional Analysis of Separated Alleles in Yeast) and direct sequencing. In a cohort of 1287 diagnostic CLL samples, we identified 237 cases with TP53 variants, including mutations, temperature-sensitive variants, deletions, insertions and aberrant splicing variants (18.4%). In 1148 follow-up samples, no TP53 clonal evolution was observed.