Additional cytogenetic aberrations in chronic myeloid leukemia: a single-center experience in the Middle East

Background Additional cytogenetic aberrations are associated with disease progression in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This study was conducted to determine the type and frequency of these aberrations and their relationship with hematologic and molecular findings in the Middle East. Methods In this retrospective study, 134 well-established cases of CML were selected from 2010 to 2016. Their hematologic phase and type of fusion gene were determined. Finally, their karyotypes were analyzed and reported according to ISCN 2013. Results Patients had a mean age of 44 years. Twenty-two patients (16.4%) showed additional cytogenetic aberrations. Nine patients (6.7%) harbored a variant Philadelphia chromosome, and most were in the chronic phase. Seventeen patients (12.7%) had major and minor route abnormalities. There was a significant relationship between additional cytogenetic aberrations and major molecular response (P=0.032). Patient survival in the group with additional cytogenetic aberrations was significantly lower (49.7 +/- 11.1 mo) than that in the group without additional cytogenetic aberrations (77.3 +/- 3.1 mo) (P=0.031). Conclusion This study revealed the same frequency of additional cytogenetic aberrations in CML as found in previous studies. Additional chromosomal aberrations led to shorter survival and lower rates of achievement of a major molecular response.