IGHV mutational status and outcome for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia upon treatment: a Danish nationwide population-based study

Association of Cytogenetics Aberrations and IGHV Mutations with Outcome in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients in a Real-World Clinical Setting

Immunoglobulin heavy chain variable ( IGHV ) region mutations, TP53 mutation, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and cytogenetic analysis are the most important prognostic biomarkers used in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients in our daily practice. In real-life environment, there are scarce studies that analyze the correlation of these factors with outcome, mainly referred to time to first treatment (TTFT) and overall survival (OS). This study aimed to typify IGHV mutation status, family usage, FISH aberrations, and complex karyotype (CK) and to analyze the prognostic impact in TTFT and OS in retrospective study of 375 CLL patients from a Spanish cohort. We found unmutated CLL (U-CLL) was associated with more aggressive disease, shorter TTFT (48 vs. 133 months, p  < 0.0001), and shorter OS (112 vs. 246 months, p  < 0.0001) than the mutated CLL. IGHV3 was the most frequently used IGHV family (46%), followed by IGHV1 (30%) and IGHV4 (16%). IGHV5-51 and IGHV1-69 subfamilies were associated with poor prognosis, while IGHV4 and IGHV2 showed the best outcomes. The prevalence of CK was 15% and was significantly associated with U-CLL. In the multivariable analysis, IGHV2 gene usage and del13q were associated with longer TTFT, while VH1-02, +12, del11q, del17p, and U-CLL with shorter TTFT. Moreover, VH1-69 usage, del11q, del17p, and U-CLL were significantly associated with shorter OS. A comprehensive analysis of genetic prognostic factors provides a more precise information on the outcome of CLL patients. In addition to FISH cytogenetic aberrations, IGHV and TP53 mutations, IGHV gene families, and CK information could help clinicians in the decision-making process.

Genetic and Clinical Characteristics of Korean Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients with High Frequencies of MYD88 Mutations

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common adult leukemia in Western countries. However, CLL is relatively rare in Asia; its genetic features are rarely studied. Here, we aimed to genetically characterize Korean CLL patients and to elucidate the genetic and clinical associations based on data obtained from 113 patients at a single Korean institute. We used next-generation sequencing to explore the multi-gene mutational data and immunoglobulin heavy chain variable gene clonality with somatic hypermutation (SHM). MYD88 (28.3%), including L265P (11.5%) and V217F (13.3%), was the most frequently mutated gene, followed by KMT2D (6.2%), NOTCH1 (5.3%), SF3B1 (5.3%), and TP53 (4.4%). MYD88-mutated CLL was characterized by SHM and atypical immunophenotype with fewer cytogenetic abnormalities. The 5-year time to treatment (TTT) of the overall cohort was 49.8% ± 8.2% (mean ± standard deviation) and the 5-year overall survival was 86.2% ± 5.8%. Patients with SHM, isolated del(13q), TP53-wild type, and NOTCH1-wild type showed better results than those without these conditions. In the subgroup analyses, patients with SHM and L265P presented shorter TTT than patients with SHM but not L265P. In contrast, V217F was associated with a higher SHM percentage and showed a favorable prognosis. Our study revealed the distinct characteristics of Korean CLL patients with high frequencies of MYD88 mutations and their clinical relevance.

Clinical and economic burden of first-line chemoimmunotherapy by risk status in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the trend in cytogenetic/molecular testing rate in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and assess the clinical and economic burden of first-line (1 L) treatment with chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) by risk status.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study identified patients with CLL from a U.S. managed care population. Medical records were obtained for eligible patients who initiated 1 L CIT between 1/1/2007 and 7/31/2019 and underwent prognostic testing to classify them as high risk (del(17p), TP53 mutation, del(11q), unmutated IGHV or complex karyotype) or as non-high risk by FISH only (non-del(17p) and non-del(11q)). Study outcomes included testing rate, time to next treatment (TTNT) or death, time to treatment failure (defined as time to change of therapy, non-chemotherapy intervention, hospice care or death), and total plan paid costs (medical + pharmacy) per patient per month (PPPM) in the 1 L period. Cox proportional hazard models and generalized linear models were used to calculate adjusted hazard ratio or rate ratio.

RESULTS

Among the 1,808 patients with CLL, 612 were FISH or IGHV tested and the rate of testing increased from 30% to 44% from 2007-2019. High-risk patients (n = 119) had 65% higher risk of next treatment or death (median time: 2.4 vs 3.7 years), 65% higher risk of treatment failure (median time: 3.0 vs 4.9 years), and 33% higher costs ($12,194 vs $9,055, p = 0.027) during 1 L treatment than non-high risk patients (n = 134).

CONCLUSIONS

High-risk CLL patients treated with 1 L chemoimmunotherapy have poorer clinical and economic outcomes compared to non-high risk patients. Assessment of genetic risk remains suboptimal.

Implementation of International Prognostic Index with flow cytometry immunophenotyping for better risk stratification of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

BACKGROUND

Current chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) International Prognostic Index (IPI) stratifies patients based on clinical, molecular, and biochemical features; however, B-cell markers also influence CLL outcomes. Here, prognostic roles of CD11c, CD38, and CD49d were first evaluated, and then an immunophenotypic score was combined with CLL-IPI for risk stratification of CLL patients.

METHODS

A total of 171 CLL subjects were included, and surface marker expression was assessed by flow cytometry. Levels ≥30% were chosen as cut-off of positivity to a marker; then values of 1 (for CD11c and CD38) or 3 (for CD49d) were assigned and scores determined for each patient's clone immunophenotype.

RESULTS

CD49d positivity was significantly associated with simultaneous expression of CD11c and/or CD38, unmutated IGHV status, and higher β2-microglobulin levels compared to those with CD49d negativity. Moreover, CD49d⁺ patients experienced a shorter progression-free survival and time to treatment. When the immunophenotypic score was combined with CLL-IPI, patients with high-risk immunophenotype had a significantly lower time-to-treatment regardless CLL-IPI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested clinical utility of an integrated prognostic score for better risk stratification of CLL patients. These results require further validation in prospective larger studies.

ALK-Positive Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma in a Patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case Report and Literature Review

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can experience histological transformation to a more aggressive lymphoma called “Richter’s transformation”. This transformation usually leads to diffuse large B cell lymphoma, though cases of T cell lymphoma have been identified. Here we report an extremely rare case of ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. We performed detailed examination for this patient and reviewed related literatures to understand the transformation. Despite our best effort, this patient passed away shortly. Literature review shows no consensus on treatment and poor prognosis of this condition. We intend to report this case and explore novel treatment possibilities for these patients.

Integrin Signaling Shaping BTK-Inhibitor Resistance

Integrins are adhesion molecules that function as anchors in retaining tumor cells in supportive tissues and facilitating metastasis. Beta1 integrins are known to contribute to cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance in cancer. Very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), a CD49d/CD29 heterodimer, is a beta1 integrin implicated in therapy resistance in both solid tumors and haematological malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). A complex inside-out signaling mechanism activates VLA-4, which might include several therapeutic targets for CLL. Treatment regimens for this disease have recently shifted towards novel agents targeting BCR signaling. Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a component of B cell receptor signaling and BTK inhibitors such as ibrutinib are highly successful; however, their limitations include indefinite drug administration, the development of therapy resistance, and toxicities. VLA-4 might be activated independently of BTK, resulting in an ongoing interaction of CD49d-expressing leukemic cells with their surrounding tissue, which may reduce the success of therapy with BTK inhibitors and increases the need for alternative therapies. In this context, we discuss the inside-out signaling cascade culminating in VLA-4 activation, consider the advantages and disadvantages of BTK inhibitors in CLL and elucidate the mechanisms behind cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance.

Preclinical Validation of Tumor-Penetrating and Interfering Peptides against Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common form of leukemia in adults. The disease is characterized by the accumulation of tumoral B cells resulting from a defect of apoptosis. We have in vitro and in vivo preclinically validated a tumor-penetrating peptide (named TT1) coupled to an interfering peptide (IP) that dissociates the interaction between the serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) from its physiological inhibitor, the oncoprotein SET. This TT1-IP peptide has an antitumoral effect on CLL, as shown by the increased survival of mice bearing xenograft models of CLL, compared to control mice. The peptide did not show toxicity, as indicated by the mouse body weight and the biochemical parameters, such as renal and hepatic enzymes. In addition, the peptide-induced apoptosis in vitro of primary tumoral B cells isolated from CLL patients but not of those isolated from healthy patients. Finally, the peptide had approximately 5 h half-life in human serum and showed pharmacokinetic parameters compatible with clinical development as a therapeutic peptide against CLL.

Healthcare Utilization and Comorbidity in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

PURPOSE

Age-related comorbidity is highly prevalent in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The purpose of this study was to provide information on current patterns of healthcare utilization in CLL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We used data from Danish nation-wide registers to study healthcare utilization the year before and the year after CLL diagnosis and in relation to first-line treatment. Patients diagnosed with CLL between 1997 and 2018 were included and stratified on number of comorbidities, presence of specific comorbidities, and fitness status, respectively. Healthcare utilization was studied in terms of hospital admissions, in-hospital bed days, out-patient visits, emergency room visits, and prescription drugs. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusting for age, sex, and calendar year.

RESULTS

The study comprised 9170 patients with CLL with a median age of 71 years, of whom 35% had ≥1 comorbidity. Healthcare utilization increased markedly upon CLL diagnosis both in patients with and without comorbidities. During the year after CLL diagnosis, 39% were hospitalized, 16% visited an emergency room, 88% visited an out-patient clinic, and 93% received prescription drugs. Both individual comorbidities and the total number of comorbidities were associated with increased healthcare utilization of all types, except for contacts to hematological departments.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that CLL diagnosis may unveil incipient diseases and aggravate comorbidities and thereby have considerably wider health implications than those directly related to CLL. These findings may be used by clinicians and decisions makers to guide planning of multidisciplinary care for cancer patients.

Mapping comorbidity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: impact of individual comorbidities on treatment, mortality, and causes of death

Comorbid conditions are highly prevalent in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), nevertheless, detailed information on the association of specific comorbidities with CLL prognosis is missing. Using Danish, nation-wide registers, we followed consecutive patients from CLL-diagnosis in 1997-2018, until death or end of follow-up. Sub-grouping of comorbidities was defined using a modified Charlson comorbidity index. Patients were matched on sex, date of birth (±1 month), and region of residency with up to ten comparators from the general population. In total, 9170 patients with CLL were included in the study, with a median of 5.0 years of follow-up. All comorbid conditions studied were individually associated with increased mortality, and many also with increased cause-specific mortality, related or unrelated to CLL. Comorbidity correlated with increased mortality from infections and cardiovascular disease. CLL patients, particularly older, had a significant loss of lifetime compared with the general population. This study highlights a large subgroup of comorbid CLL patients with an unmet treatment-need and missing efficacy and safety data on treatment, who are under-prioritized in clinical trials. Also, studies assessing interventions that may provide better tolerability of treatment in older or comorbid patients, with cancer in general, and CLL in particular, are warranted.

MYC: a multipurpose oncogene with prognostic and therapeutic implications in blood malignancies

MYC oncogene is a transcription factor with a wide array of functions affecting cellular activities such as cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA damage response, and hematopoiesis. Due to the multi-functionality of MYC, its expression is regulated at multiple levels. Deregulation of this oncogene can give rise to a variety of cancers. In this review, MYC regulation and the mechanisms by which MYC adjusts cellular functions and its implication in hematologic malignancies are summarized. Further, we also discuss potential inhibitors of MYC that could be beneficial for treating hematologic malignancies.

Predominant VH1-69 IgBCR Clones Show Higher Expression of CD5 in Heterogeneous Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Populations

The immunoglobulin B cell receptor (IgBCR) expressed by chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, supporting neoplastic transformation, survival, and expansion of tumor clones. We demonstrated that in the same patient, two or more CLL clones could coexist, recognized by the expression of different variable regions of the heavy chain of IgBCR, composing the antigen-binding site. In this regard, phage display screening could be considered the easier and most advantageous methodology for the identification of small peptide molecules able to mimic the natural antigen of the tumor IgBCRs. These molecules, properly functionalized, could be used as a probe to specifically identify and isolate single CLL subpopulations, for a deeper analysis in terms of drug resistance, phenotype, and gene expression. Furthermore, CLL cells express another surface membrane receptor, the CD5, which is commonly expressed by normal T cells. Piece of evidence supports a possible contribution of CD5 to the selection and maintenance of autoreactivity in B cells and the constitutive expression of CD5 on CLL cells could induce pro-survival stimuli. In this brief research report, we describe a peptide-based single-cell sorting using as bait the IgBCR of tumor cells; in the next step, we performed a quantitative analysis of CD5 expression by qRT-PCR related to the expressed IgBCR. Our approach could open a new perspective for the identification, isolation, and investigation of all subsets of IgBCR-related CLL clones, with particular attention to the more aggressive clones.

Low-dose fludarabine and cyclophosphamide combined with rituximab in the first-line treatment of elderly/comorbid patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL): long-term results of project Q-lite by the Czech CLL Study Group

Therapeutic options used to be very limited for treatment-naïve elderly/comorbid patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) before the introduction of chemo-immunotherapy. Because dose-reduced fludarabine-based regimens yielded promising results, the Czech CLL Study Group initiated a prospective observational study to assess safety and efficacy of low-dose fludarabine and cyclophosphamide combined with rituximab (FCR) in elderly/comorbid patients. Between March 2009 and July 2012, we enrolled 107 patients considered ineligible for full-dose FCR (median age, 70 years; median Cumulative Illness Rating Scale score, 5; median creatinine clearance, 69 ml/min). Notably, 77% patients had unfavourable biological prognosis [unmutated immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable-region gene (IGHV), 74%; deletion 17p, 9%). Fludarabine was reduced to 12 mg/m² intravenously (iv) or 20 mg/m² orally on days 1-3 and cyclophosphamide to 150 mg/m² iv/orally on days 1-3. Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 56% of the patients, but there were serious infections in only 15%. The median progression-free survival was 29 months, but was markedly longer in patients with mutated IGHV (median 53 months), especially in absence of del 11q or 17p (median 74 months). Low-dose FCR is a well-tolerated and effective first-line regimen for selected elderly/comorbid patients with CLL/SLL with favourable biology. The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02156726).

Risk of new malignancies among patients with CLL treated with chemotherapy: results of a Danish population-based study

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) have an increased risk of new malignancies. However, limited data have been published about the impact of CLL treatment on this risk. Here we followed a Danish population-based cohort of CLL patients for risks of new malignancies. Patients in the Danish CLL registry (2008-2017) were included. Up to 50 CLL-free matched comparators were identified. First-line treatment was categorized into four groups; bendamustine, chlorambucil, fludarabine or other. Patients were followed from CLL diagnosis for individual types of malignancy. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for new malignancies and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Overall, 4286 CLL patients and 214 150 controls developed 594 and 20 565 new malignancies respectively. Risk of new malignancies was increased for CLL patients. Chemotherapy treatment was registered for 1064 (25%) patients with CLL. Chemotherapy was associated with increased HR (1·51, 95% CI: 1·3-1·8) of any new malignancy. Specifically, fludarabine was associated with an increased risk of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (HR 4·93, 95% CI: 1·2-19·8). Patients with CLL are at increased risk of other haematological and solid malignancies compared to the general population. Chemotherapy exposure is associated with increased risk of second malignancies and fludarabine is associated with increased risk of MDS.