Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which is the most common type of leukemia in western countries in adults, is characterized by heterogeneity in clinical course, prognosis and response to the treatment. Although, in recent years a number of factors with probable prognostic value in CLL have been identified (eg
NOTCH1, SF3B1
and
BIRC-3
mutations, or evaluation of microRNA expression),
TP53
aberrations are still the most important single factors of poor prognosis. It was found that approximately 30% of all
TP53
defects are mutations lacking 17p13 deletion, whereas sole 17p13 deletion with the absence of
TP53
mutation consists of 10% of all
TP53
defects. The detection of del(17)(p13) and/or
TP53
mutation is not a criterion itself for starting antileukemic therapy, but it is associated with an aggressive course of the disease and poor response to the standard chemoimmunotherapy. Treatment of patients with CLL harbouring
TP53-
deficiency requires drugs that promote cell death independently of
TP53
. Novel and smarter therapies revolutionize the treatment of del(17p) and/or aberrant
TP53
CLL, but development of alternative therapeutic approaches still remains an issue of critical importance.