ATM and chronic lymphocytic leukemia: mutations, and not only deletions, matter

ATM gene alterations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients induce a distinct gene expression profile and predict disease progression. [Haematologica. 2012]ATM gene alterations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients induce a distinct gene expression profile and predict disease progression. Guarini A, Marinelli M, Tavolaro S, Bellacchio E, Magliozzi M, Chiaretti S, De Propris MS, Peragine N, Santangelo S, Paoloni F, et al. Haematologica. 2012 Jan; 97(1):47-55. Epub 2011 Oct 11. ATM germline heterozygosity does not play a role in chronic lymphocytic leukemia initiation but influences rapid disease progression through loss of the remaining ATM allele.