La leucemia linfocítica crónica b

Abstract

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a hematologic malignity characterized by the clonal expansion of lymphocites B, which are of small size, with a limited capacity of proliferation, mature morphologically, immunologically incompetent, and with a prolonged half-life due to dysregulation of apoptosis. This leukemia shows particular epidemiological characteristics and is common in Western countries, while in Asian populations it shows low incidence. It manifests itself primarily in individuals of advanced middle age, with a male:female ratio of 2:1. The immunophenotype of the cells is essential for diagnosis, while a certain number of markers are linked to the prognosis of the disease progression and treatment resistance. This review aims to summarize the knowledge available about B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia as well as to describe some new prognostic markers that are currently linked to the evolution of this disease.