Nazihah Mohd Yunus

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a haematological malignancy characterised by the accumulation of monoclonal mature B lymphocytes (positive for CD5+ and CD23+) in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Although CLL is reported to be rare in Asian countries compared to Western countries, the disease course is more aggressive in Asian countries than in their Western counterparts. It has been postulated that this is due to genetic variants between populations. Various cytogenomic methods, either of the traditional type (conventional cytogenetics or fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH)) or using more advanced technology such as DNA microarrays, next generation sequencing (NGS), or genome wide association studies (GWAS), were used to detect chromosomal aberrations in CLL. Up until now, conventional cytogenetic analysis remained the gold standard in diagnosing chromosomal abnormality in haematological malignancy including CLL, even though it is tedious and time-consuming. In concordance with technological advancement, DNA microarrays are gaining popularity among clinicians as they are faster and better able to accurately diagnose the presence of chromosomal abnormalities. However, every technology has challenges to overcome. In this review, CLL and its genetic abnormalities will be discussed, as well as the application of microarray technology as a diagnostic platform.

(1) Background: Several studies have suggested that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene plays a role in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) susceptibility. Nonetheless, the association between T2DM and VDR polymorphisms remains inconclusive. We determined the genotype of VDR rs1544410 (BsmI) and rs2228570 (FokI) polymorphisms among Malaysian patients with T2DM and their association with glycemic control factors (vitamin D levels, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate). (2) Methods: A total of 189 participants comprising 126 patients with T2DM (63 with good glycemic control and 63 with poor glycemic control) and 63 healthy controls were enrolled in this case–control study. All biochemical assays were measured using spectrophotometric analysis. VDR gene FokI and BsmI polymorphisms were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction and endonuclease digestion. (3) Results: Our findings revealed no significant differences in VDR FokI and BsmI genotypes between participants with T2DM and healthy controls. Moreover, no significant association was observed between both single nucleotide polymorphisms and glycemic control factors. Participants with poor glycemic control had significantly lower serum magnesium levels and significantly higher HOMA-IR compared to the other groups. (4) Conclusions: The present study revealed that VDR gene BsmI and FokI polymorphisms were not significantly associated with T2DM.