Key clinical point: Activation of hedgehog signaling could predict early disease progression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and offer a new therapeutic target.

Major finding: Out of 841 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 89 patients (11%) had mutations in genes associated with hedgehog signaling.

Study details: An observational genomic study involving leukemia cells from 841 treatment-naive patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Cancer Stem Cell Consortium, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, and other groups. The investigators reported having no competing financial interests.