C-MYC Amplification in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Objectives: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is among the most common forms of leukemia diagnosed in the United States. It is associated with a variety of clinically significant genetic abnormalities, including cytogenetic abnormalities that are assessed routinely. Herein, we present a case of CLL for which molecular cytogenetic analysis revealed concomitant deletion of TP53 (17p13.1) in 87% of cells analyzed and amplification (3-20 signals) of C-MYC (8q24.1) in 47% of cells analyzed. Although rearrangements involving C-MYC are common in CLL, amplification is a rarer phenomenon that has not been investigated as thoroughly and may be overlooked during routine analysis. We review this case in the context of available literature on the plethora of genetic abnormalities involving C-MYC in CLL and their relevance to the pathogenesis of the disease. All in all, this case highlights the role of comprehensive, multidisciplinary genetic testing in the management of CLL.