New Concepts in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Prognostic Factors and Clinical Presentation of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia of the B‐cell type CLL) is the most frequent leukemia in the Western hemisphere. Recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease have enabled the identification of genetically defined subgroups, which show a distinct clinical behavior. Moreover, the pathogenic mechanisms that underlie the severe disturbances of the immune system, which represent a hallmark of CLL, are beginning to be unraveled. This review summarizes the different clinical aspects which are benefiting from this increased knowledge of the immunology, molecular and cell biology of CLL.