Soluble CD138 serum levels are not associated with other poor prognostic markers in patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

CD markers variations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: New insights into prognosis

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the most commonly occurring adult leukemias that is associated with clonal accumulation of mature apoptosis-resistant B-cells in bone marrow, peripheral blood, and specific tissues. Different pathogenesis factors can contribute to the aggression of the clinical course in this disease. Cytogenetic abnormalities and surface biomarkers of neoplastic CLL cells can be effective in the outcome of CLL, and the examination of changing CD markers expressions in the progression of CLL can be related to the prognosis of this disease. Changing expression levels of CD markers on lymphocytes and other cells in CLL patients can play a role in the aggressive clinical outcomes such as organomegaly, immunodeficiency, and advanced disease stages through their interaction with CLL microenvironment. Given the involvement of CD markers in the pathogenesis of CLL, it can be stated that recognizing the expression changes of CD markers in the cells involved in CLL can be a proper approach to evaluate prognosis among these patients.

Advances in the molecular functions of syndecan-1 (SDC1/CD138) in the pathogenesis of malignancies

Syndecan-1 (SDC1, synd, CD138) is the most widely studied member of four structurally related cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG). Although SDC1 has been implicated in a wide range of biological functions, its altered expression often produces malignant phenotypes, which arise from increased cell proliferation and cell growth, cell survival, cell invasion and metastasis, and angiogenesis. Recent studies revealed much about the underlying molecular roles of SDC1 in these processes. The changes in SDC1 expression also have a direct impact on the clinical course of cancers, as evident by its prognostic significance. Accumulating evidence suggest that SDC1 is involved in stimulation of cancer stem cells (CSC) or tumor initiating cells (TIC) and this may affect disease relapse, and resistance to therapy. This review discusses the progress on the pro-tumorigenic role(s) of SDC1 and how these roles may impact the clinical aspect of the disease. Also discussed, are the current strategies for targeting SDC1 or its related signaling.