Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling integrated with gene expression profiling identifies PAX9 as a novel prognostic marker in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The DNA methylation changes associated with mRNA expression of CRY1 and PAX9 genes allow risk stratification of early stage CLL patients. This comprehensive analysis supports the concept that the epigenetic changes along with the altered expression of genes have the potential to predict clinical outcome in early stage CLL patients.