Surrogate molecular markers for IGHV mutational status in chronic lymphocytic leukemia for predicting time to first treatment

Abstract We analyzed the correlation between well-established biological parameters of prognostic relevance in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL] (i.e, mutational status of the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region [IgVH], ZAP-70- and CD38-expression) and serum levels of BAFF (B-cell activating factor of the TNF family) by evaluating the impact of these variables on the time to first treatment [TFT] in a series of 69 previously untreated Binet stage A B-cell CLL patients. By using a commercial ELISA (R & D Systems, USA) we found that higher levels of BAFF characterized more frequently patients with Rai stage 0 (P=0.008) and mutated IgVH (P=0.03). In contrast, peripheral blood lymphocytosis (P=0.06), serum β2-m (P=0.159), LDH (P=0.333) and percentage of ZAP-70-positive (P=0.242) or CD38-positive B-CLL cells (P=0.142) did not reflect circulating levels of BAFF. The relationship among various bio-pathological parameters, analyzed by the multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), showed two different clinico-biological profiles. The first, characterized by higher BAFF serum levels (i.e., > 336 ng/mL), presence of mutation in the IgVH, low percentage of CD38-positive B-CLL cells (< 30%) and low LDH was associated with a stable pattern of disease generally not requiring therapy. The second, defined by lower BAFF levels, absence of mutation in the IgVH, high percentage of CD38- positive B-CLL cells and high LDH was associated with a more progressive pattern of disease and a shorter TFT. After a median follow-up time of 35 months (range, 2–120 months) 26 (37.6%) out of 69 patients experienced a need for chemotherapy. Kaplan-Meier estimates of patientsTFT, plotted after searching the best cut-off for BAFF (i.e., 336 ng/mL), demonstrated that low BAFF concentration was associated with a shorter TFT (median TFT 36 months) while median was not reached by patients with BAFF levels higher than 336 ng/mL (P<0.0001). Along with lower serum levels of BAFF (Hazard Ratio [HR], 0.19; P<0.0001), the univariate Cox proportional hazard model identified absence of mutation in IgVH (HR, 0.17; P<0.0001), CD38-positivity (HR, 3.32; P=0.01) and lower platelet count (HR, 0.19; P=0.03) as predictor of shorter TFT. Finally, in multivariate analysis only mutational status of IgVH (HR, 0.25; P=0.007) and serum concentration of BAFF (HR, 034; P=0.04) affected significantly TFT. Our results indicate that in early B-cell CLL clinico-biological profile including among other parameters BAFF may provide a useful insight into the complex interrelationship of prognostic variables and semplify their interpretation. The possible presence of BAFF isoform in B-CLL could peraphs account for the unexpected correlation between low soluble BAFF levels and poor clinical outcome in patients with early disease.

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Lymphocyte Doubling Time As A Key Prognostic Factor To Predict Time To First Treatment In Early-Stage Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Frontiers in Oncology ◽

10.3389/fonc.2021.684621 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Fortunato Morabito ◽

Giovanni Tripepi ◽

Riccardo Moia ◽

Anna Grazia Recchia ◽

Paola Boggione ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prognostic Factors ◽

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Doubling Time ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Prognostic Impact ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Prognostic Role ◽

Mutational Status ◽

Binet Stage ◽

Time To First Treatment

The prognostic role of lymphocyte doubling time (LDT) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was recognized more than three decades ago when the neoplastic clone’s biology was almost unknown. LDT was defined as the time needed for the peripheral blood lymphocyte count to double the of the initial observed value. Herein, the LDT prognostic value for time to first treatment (TTFT) was explored in our prospective O-CLL cohort and validated in in two additional CLL cohorts. Specifically, newly diagnosed Binet stage A CLL patients from 40 Italian Institutions, representative of the whole country, were prospectively enrolled into the O-CLL1-GISL protocol (clinicaltrial.gov identifier: NCT00917540). Two independent cohorts of newly diagnosed CLL patients recruited respectively at the Division of Hematology in Novara, Italy, and at the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, Spain, were utilized as validation cohorts. In the training cohort, TTFT of patients with LDT >12 months was significantly longer related to those with a shorter LDT. At Cox multivariate regression model, LDT ≤ 12 months maintained a significant independent relationship with shorter TTFT along with IGHV unmutated (IGHVunmut) status, 11q and 17p deletions, elevated β2M, Rai stage I-II, and NOTCH1 mutations. Based on these statistics, two regression models were constructed including the same prognostic factors with or without the LDT. The model with the LTD provided a significantly better data fitting (χ2 = 8.25, P=0.0041). The risk prediction developed including LDT had better prognostic accuracy than those without LDT. Moreover, the Harrell’C index for the scores including LDT were higher than those without LDT, although the accepted 0.70 threshold exceeded in both cases. These findings were also confirmed when the same analysis was carried out according to TTFT’s explained variation. When data were further analyzed based on the combination between LDT and IGHV mutational status in the training and validation cohorts, IGHVunmut and LDT>12months group showed a predominant prognostic role over IGHVmut LTD ≤ 12 months (P=0.006) in the O-CLL validation cohort. However, this predominance was of borden-line significance (P=0.06) in the Barcelona group, while the significant prognostic impact was definitely lost in the Novara group. Overall, in this study, we demonstrated that LDT could be re-utilized together with the more sophisticated prognostic factors to manage the follow-up plans for Binet stage A CLL patients.

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NEAT1 Long Isoform Is Highly Expressed in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Irrespectively of Cytogenetic Groups or Clinical Outcome

Non-Coding RNA ◽

10.3390/ncrna6010011 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 11 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Domenica Ronchetti ◽

Vanessa Favasuli ◽

Paola Monti ◽

Giovanna Cutrona ◽

Sonia Fabris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cells ◽

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Clinical Outcome ◽

Risk Model ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Mutational Status ◽

Trisomy 12 ◽

Time To First Treatment

The biological role and therapeutic potential of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are still open questions. Herein, we investigated the significance of the lncRNA NEAT1 in CLL. We examined NEAT1 expression in 310 newly diagnosed Binet A patients, in normal CD19+ B-cells, and other types of B-cell malignancies. Although global NEAT1 expression level was not statistically different in CLL cells compared to normal B cells, the median ratio of NEAT1_2 long isoform and global NEAT1 expression in CLL samples was significantly higher than in other groups. NEAT1_2 was more expressed in patients carrying mutated IGHV genes. Concerning cytogenetic aberrations, NEAT1_2 expression in CLL with trisomy 12 was lower with respect to patients without alterations. Although global NEAT1 expression appeared not to be associated with clinical outcome, patients with the lowest NEAT1_2 expression displayed the shortest time to first treatment; however, a multivariate regression analysis showed that the NEAT1_2 risk model was not independent from other known prognostic factors, particularly the IGHV mutational status. Overall, our data prompt future studies to investigate whether the increased amount of the long NEAT1_2 isoform detected in CLL cells may have a specific role in the pathology of the disease.

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Serum BAFF (B-CELL Activating Factor Of The TNF Family) predicts time to First Treatment in Early B-CELL Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v112.11.4158.4158 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 112 (11) ◽

pp. 4158-4158

Author(s):

Stefano Molica ◽

Gaetano Vitelli ◽

Giovanna Cutrona ◽

Giovanna Digiesi ◽

Rosanna Mirabelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Serum Concentration ◽

B Cell ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

B Cell Activating Factor ◽

Mutational Status ◽

Time To First Treatment ◽

The Impact ◽

Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Abstract We analyzed the correlation between well-established biological parameters of prognostic relevance in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL] (i.e, mutational status of the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region [IgVH], ZAP-70− and CD38− expression) and serum levels of BAFF (B-cell activating factor of the TNF family) by evaluating the impact of these variables on the time to first treatment [TFT] in a series of 125 previously untreated Binet stage A B-cell CLL patients. By using a commercial ELISA (R & D Systems, USA) we found that higher levels of BAFF characterized more frequently females (P=0.01), patients with Rai stage 0 (P=0.03), mutated IgVH disease (P=0.008) and low ZAP-70 expression (P=0.04). In contrast, age (P=0.35), peripheral blood lymphocytosis (PBL)(P=0.09), hemoglobin (Hb) level (P=0.64), platelet (PLT) count (P=0.12), serum β2-m (P=0.49), LDH (P=0.85) and percentage of CD38-positive B-CLL cells (P=0.63) did not reflect circulating levels of BAFF. We used an optimal cut-point search to determine how to best split soluble BAFF data. Maximally selected log-rank statistics plots identified a BAFF serum concentration of 311 ng/mL as the best cut-off (P<0.0001). Accordingly, patients who had BAFF levels higher than 311 ng/mL experienced a longer TFT (median 108 months) in comparison to patients whose BAFF levels were lower than 311 ng/mL (median 30 months; P<0.0001). Along with serum concentration of BAFF, the univariate Cox proportional hazard model identified Rai substage I–II (P=0.003), lower PLT count (P=0.04), higher PBL count (P=0.01), increased LDH (P=0.01), ZAP-70 expression > 20% (P=0.02) and absence of mutation of IgVH (P<0.0001) as predictor of shorter TFT. In multivariate analysis only soluble BAFF (Hazard ratio [HR], 6.13; CI 95%, 2.31–16.25) and mutational status of IgVH, (HR= 2.99; CI 95% 1.33–6.76, P=0.008) maintained their discriminating power. The effects of BAFF on TFT were masked by mutational status of IgVH in patients with unmutated IgVH. However, serum levels of BAFF and mutational status of IgVH had a joint effect on TFT in patients with mutated IgVH which translates into a segregation of patients with mutated IgVH in two groups with different TFT according to BAFF levels (HR= 8.9; P<0.0001). Our results indicate that in early B-cell CLL biological profile including among other parameters soluble BAFF may provide a useful insight into the complex interrelationship of prognostic variables. Furthermore, BAFF along with mutational status of IgVH can be adequately used to predict clinical behaviour of patients with low biological risk.

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KRAS, NRAS and BRAF Mutations Are Highly Enriched in TRI12 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Are Associated to Shorter Time to First Treatment

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-111864 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 3113-3113

Author(s):

Elena Vendramini ◽

Riccardo Bomben ◽

Federico Pozzo ◽

Dania Benedetti ◽

Maria Francesca Rossi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Chromosomal Aberration ◽

Braf Mutation ◽

Research Funding ◽

Mutation Frequency ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Sequencing Data ◽

Braf Mutations ◽

Mutational Status ◽

Time To First Treatment

Abstract Background Extensive sequencing data highlighted the recurrence of mutations resulting in constitutive MAP kinase signaling in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and proposed these mutations as late drivers of CLL progression (X.S. Puente, Nature, 2015; D.A. Landau, Nature, 2015). Although some preliminary studies suggested KRAS, NRAS and BRAF mutations as possibly associated with trisomy 12 (TRI12) and/or unmutated (UM) IGHV genes (C.D. Herling, Blood, 2016; K. Takahashi, Blood, 2018), dedicated analysis of these aspects is still missing. Aim To correlate the occurrence of KRAS, NRAS and BRAF mutations with specific clinico-biological features in CLL. Methods The study included 534 primary CLL purposely enriched with 300 TRI12 cases: 190 cases with TRI12 as sole chromosomal aberration (TRI12only) and 110 cases harboring TRI12 plus other chromosomal aberrations (TRI12plus). The cohort was also enriched in cases with NOTCH1 aberrations (n=214) to evaluate their possible role in RAS-RAF mutations incidence. Amplicon-based targeted next-generation sequencing assay was performed using Miseq Illumina on DNA from purified CLL samples. Analyzed amplicons mapped in the hotspot regions of KRAS, NRAS (exons 2, 3 and 4) and BRAF (exons 11 and 15) genes. Variant allele frequency (VAF) was obtained by Miseq report. CLL cases were characterized for IGHV mutational status, main cytogenetic abnormalities, NOTCH1 and TP53 aberrations. Time to first treatment (TTFT) data were correlated with molecular findings. Results We found 90 missense point mutations (Fig.1) in 64 CLL cases, with prevalence of KRAS (44 mutations in 38 patients), followed by BRAF (31 mutations in 24 patients) and NRAS (15 mutations in 13 patients). Nearly all mutations have been previously associated with gain-of-function phenotype and increased RAS/ERK downstream signaling. The co-occurrence of 2 mutated genes (mainly KRAS and BRAF) were observed in 11 patients. Mutations were mainly subclonal (median VAF 6.15%, range 1.3%-61.6%) with only one third of mutations (27/90) above 15% VAF. A high association between the presence of KRAS/NRAS/BRAF mutations and UM IGHV and the presence of TRI12 was observed. Overall, 87.3% of KRAS/NRAS/BRAF mutated cases had a UM IGHV (p<0.0001) and 79.7% were TRI12 CLL (p<0.0001) (Fig.2). Moreover, in the context of the UM IGHV CLL group (332 cases), TRI12 CLL had a 4-fold higher KRAS/NRAS/BRAF mutation frequency (46/182, 25.3%) than non-TRI12 (9/150, 6%; p<0.0001). Indeed, we found 29/182 (15.9%) KRAS, 9/182 (4.9%) NRAS and 17/182 (9.3%) BRAF mutated cases in the TRI12 group vs. 4/150 (2.7%) KRAS, 3/150 (2%) NRAS and 3/150 (2%) BRAF mutated cases in the non-TRI12 group. The KRAS/NRAS/BRAF mutation frequency was even higher when considering the TRI12only group in the context of UM IGHV (38/133, 28.6%). Conversely, CLL cases with del(13q) as sole chromosomal aberration (n=94) showed the lowest frequency of KRAS/NRAS/BRAF mutations (2/94, 2.1% in the whole cohort and 2/53, 3.8% in the context of UM IGHV cases). Furthermore, a higher prevalence of KRAS/NRAS/BRAF mutations was found in NOTCH1 wild type (wt) (22.1%) when compared to NOTCH1 mutated (11.2%) cases, in the context of the UM IGHV group (p=0.008), pointing to a mutual exclusivity of these mutations in the pathogenesis of disease. No other significant associations with clinical variables as RAI stage at diagnosis, presence of TP53 mutations or gender were observed. We finally evaluated if KRAS/NRAS/BRAF mutations had an impact on TTFT in the context of UM IGHV/TRI12only/NOTCH1wt, that showed the highest incidence of mutations (26/70, 37%). Both KRAS mutations alone (p=0.005) and KRAS/NRAS mutations (p=0.04) were associated with shorter TTFT (Fig.3). Conclusions Taken together our data show that KRAS, NRAS and BRAF mutations are almost exclusively found in UM IGHV/TRI12/NOTCH1wt CLL and, in the context of this CLL group the presence of KRAS and NRAS mutations is associated with unfavorable prognosis. The high incidence of KRAS, NRAS and BRAF activating mutations in TRI12 CLL together with the observation of higher level of ERK phosphorylation (S. Decker, Blood, 2012) and higher sensitivity to MEK/ERK inhibitors (S. Dietrich, J Clin Invest, 2018) described in the TRI12, reinforce the evidence of an essential role for MEK/ERK signaling in TRI12 CLL, pointing to this pathway as the most appropriate therapeutic target. Disclosures Zaja: Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Sandoz: Honoraria.

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Serum CD26 (Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV, DPP IV) compared with Immunoglobulin Heavy-Chain Mutation Status, ZAP-70 and CD38 as a Predictor of Time to First Treatment in Early B-CELL Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v112.11.4187.4187 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 112 (11) ◽

pp. 4187-4187 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stefano Molica ◽

Gaetano Vitelli ◽

Giovanna Cutrona ◽

Rosanna Mirabelli ◽

Giovanna Digiesi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Serum Concentration ◽

B Cell ◽

Heavy Chain ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Dipeptidyl Peptidase Iv ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Dpp Iv ◽

Mutational Status ◽

Time To First Treatment

Abstract We analyzed the correlation between well-established biological parameters of prognostic relevance in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL] (i.e, mutational status of the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region [IgVH], ZAP-70- and CD38-expression) and serum levels of CD26 (dipeptidyl peptidase IV, DPP IV) by evaluating the impact of these variables on the time to first treatment [TFT] in a series of 69 previously untreated Binet stage A B-CLL patients. By using a commercial ELISA (Human DPPIV/CD26 Quantikine R D Systems, USA) we found that circulating levels of CD26 did not reflect Rai sub-stages (P=0.52), β2-microglobulin (P=0.68), LDH (P=0.06), mutational status of IgVH (P=0.28), ZAP-70 (P=0.52) and CD38 (P=0.48). We used an optimal cut-point search to determine how to best split soluble CD26 data. Maximally selected logrank statistics plots identified a CD26 serum concentration of 371 ng/mL as the best cut-off. Accordingly, patients who had CD26 levels higher than 371 ng/mL experienced a shorter TFT (median 40 months) in comparison to patients whose CD26 levels were lower than 371 ng/mL (median 120 months; P=0.003). The univariate Cox proportional hazard model identified higher serum concentration of CD26 and absence of mutation in IgVH as predictor of shorter TFT. Again in multivariate analysis all these parameters maintained their discriminating power: mutational status of IgVH (HR= 0.23; CI 95% 0.10−0.51, P<0.0001), soluble CD26 (HR= 0.38; CI 95% 0.17−0.85, P=0.02). The effects of CD26 on TFT were masked by mutational status of IgVH in patients with unmutated IgVH. In contrast, serum levels of CD26 and mutational status of IgVH had a joint effect on TFT in patients with mutated IgVH which translates into a segregation of patients with mutated IgVH in two sub-groups with different TFT according to CD26 levels (HR= 0.18; CI 95% 0.05−0.60, P=0.005). Our results indicate that in early B-cell CLL biological profile including among other parameters soluble CD26 may provide a useful insight into the complex interrelationship of prognostic variables. Furthermore, CD26 along with mutational status of IgVH can be adequately used to predict clinical behaviour of patients with low biological risk.

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VITAMIN D Insufficiency Affects Time to FIRST TREATMENT (TFT) In EARLY CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA (CLL)

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.4601.4601 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 4601-4601

Author(s):

Stefano Molica ◽

Giovanna Digiesi ◽

Anna Antenucci ◽

Luciano Levato ◽

Rosanna Mirabelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Lymphocyte Count ◽

Absolute Lymphocyte Count ◽

Vitamin D Insufficiency ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Mutational Status ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Binet Stage ◽

Time To First Treatment

Abstract Abstract 4601 Recent data suggest that vitamin D insufficiency is related to inferior prognosis in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). We evaluated whether 25(OH)D serum levels affect time to first treatment (TFT), a disease-specific end point, in 130 previously untreated CLL patients with early disease (i.e., Binet stage A). Measurement of 25(OH)D was conducted by means of a direct, competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay using the DiaSorin LIAISON 25(OH)D TOTAL assay (DiaSorin, Inc., Stillwater, Minnesota). Levels of 25(OH)D did not reflect Rai substages (P=0.27), Beta2-microglobulin (P=0.52), absolute lymphocyte count (P=0.21), FISH chromosome abnormalities (P=0.11), mutational status of IgVH (P=0.43), ZAP-70- (P=0.53) or CD38-expression (P=0.82).Overall, 42 patients (31.8%) had severe vitamin D insufficiency (< 10 ng/mL), 66 (50%) had mild to moderate insufficiency (10–24 ng/mL), and 24 (18.1%) had 25(OH)D levels within the optimal range(25–80 ng/mL), with no relationship between the month of sample collection and 25(OH)D level (P=0.188). A patient stratification according to these 3 groups led to significant difference in terms of TFT, with vitamin D insufficient patients having the shortest TFT (P=0.02). With respect to continuous 25(OH)D levels and clinical outcome, TFT was shorter as 25(OH)D decreased until a value of 13.5 ng/mL at which point the association of 25(OH)D and TFT remained constant. As a matter of fact, the 25(OH)D value of 13.5 ng/mL identified two patients subsets with different TFT risk (HR=1.91; 95%CI=1.06–3.44;P=0.03). In multivariate analysis the variable entering the model at a significant level were mutational status of IgVH (P<0.0001), serum thymidine kinase ((P=0.02) and absolute lymphocyte count (P=0.03). Thus confirming the Mayo clinic experience, our data provide further evidence that 25(OH)D levels may be an important host factor influencing TFT of Binet stage A patients. Since the effect of 25(OH)D insufficiency may be may be relevant in this subset of patients who are generally observed for years before starting therapy future trials should address the role of vitamin D therapy in delaying disease-progression. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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NOTCH1 Activation Negatively Impacts on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Outcome and Is Not Correlated to the NOTCH1 and IGHV Mutational Status

Frontiers in Oncology ◽

10.3389/fonc.2021.668573 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Stefano Baldoni ◽

Beatrice Del Papa ◽

Filomena De Falco ◽

Erica Dorillo ◽

Carlo Sorrentino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Clinical Course ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Wild Type ◽

New Approach ◽

Mutational Status ◽

Time To First Treatment ◽

The Impact ◽

First Time

NOTCH1 mutations and deregulated signal have been commonly found in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients. Whereas the impact of NOTCH1 mutations on clinical course of CLL has been widely studied, the prognostic role of NOTCH1 activation in CLL remains to be defined. Here, we analyzed the activation of NOTCH1/NOTCH2 (ICN1/ICN2) and the expression of JAGGED1 (JAG1) in 163 CLL patients and evaluated their impact on TTFT (Time To First Treatment) and OS (Overall Survival). NOTCH1 activation (ICN1+) was found in 120/163 (73.6%) patients. Among them, 63 (52.5%) were NOTCH1 mutated (ICN1+/mutated) and 57 (47.5%) were NOTCH1 wild type (ICN1+/WT). ICN1+ patients had a significant reduction of TTFT compared to ICN1-negative (ICN1−). In the absence of NOTCH1 mutations, we found that the ICN1+/WT group had a significantly reduced TTFT compared to ICN1− patients. The analysis of IGHV mutational status showed that the distribution of the mutated/unmutated IGHV pattern was similar in ICN1+/WT and ICN1− patients. Additionally, TTFT was significantly reduced in ICN1+/ICN2+ and ICN1+/JAG1+ patients compared to ICN1−/ICN2− and ICN1−/JAG1− groups. Our data revealed for the first time that NOTCH1 activation is a negative prognosticator in CLL and is not correlated to NOTCH1 and IGHV mutational status. Activation of NOTCH2 and JAGGED1 expression might also influence clinical outcomes in this group, indicating the need for further dedicated studies. The evaluation of different NOTCH network components might represent a new approach to refine CLL risk stratification.

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Serum Adiponectin Compared with ZAP-70, CD38 and Immunoglobulin Heavy-Chain Mutation Status as a Predictor of Time to First Treatment in Early B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.2786.2786 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 2786-2786

Author(s):

Stefano Molica ◽

Gaetano Vitelli ◽

Giovanna Cutrona ◽

Giovanna Digiesi ◽

Rosanna Mirabelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Platelet Count ◽

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

B Cell ◽

Heavy Chain ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Mutational Status ◽

Igvh Mutational Status ◽

Time To First Treatment ◽

Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Abstract We analyzed the correlation between well-established biological parameters of prognostic relevance in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL] (i.e, mutational status of the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region [IgVH], ZAP-70- and CD38-expression) and serum levels of adiponectin by evaluating the impact of these variables on the time to first treatment [TFT] in a series of 69 previously untreated Binet stage A B-cell CLL patients. Higher levels of adiponectin inversely correlated with peripheral blood lymphocytosis (r=−0.254; P=0.03), male gender (P=0.0002), percentage of ZAP−70-positive (r=− 0.285; P=0.04) and CD38-positive (r=−0.294; P=0.04) B-CLL cells. After a median follow-up time of 32 months (range, 2–120 months) 28 (40.5%) out of 69 patients experienced a need for chemotherapy. Kaplan-Meier estimates of patients’ TFT, plotted after searching the best cut-off for adiponectin (i.e., 5.88 μg/mL ), demonstrated that low adiponectin concentration was associated with a shorter TFT (median TFT 32 months; P=0.01). The relationship among the various bio-pathological parameters, analyzed by the multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), showed two different clinico-biological profiles. The first, characterized by higher adiponectin serum levels (i.e., > 5.88 μg/mL), higher platelet count (> 174 x 109/L), lower β2-microglobulin [β2-m] (< 2.35 mg/L), presence of mutation in the IgVH and low percentage of either CD38-positive (< 20%) or ZAP-70-positive (< 20%) B-CLL cells, was associated with a stable pattern of disease generally not requiring therapy. The second, defined by lower adiponectin levels, lower platelet count, high β2-m concentration, absence of mutation in the IgVH, high percentage of CD38- and ZAP-70 positive B-cells, was associated with a more progressive pattern of disease and a shorter TFT. The univariate Cox proportional hazard model demonstrated that in addition with lower serum levels of adiponectin (Hazard Ratio [HR], 2.936; P=0.01), the absence of IgVH mutational status (HR, 6.378; P=0.002) and ZAP-70-positivity (HR, 3.314; P=0.02) were associated with a shorter TFT. However, in multivariate analysis only ZAP-70 positivity emerged as predictor of the TFT (HR, 5.187; P=0.008). Our results indicate that in early B-cell CLL clinico-biological profile including among other parameters adiponectin may provide a useful insight into the complex interrelationship of prognostic variables and semplify their interpretation. However, adiponectin may not replace the need for the determination of ZAP-70 and IgVH mutational status.

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