Survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) could be predicted by lipoprotein lipase (LPL) expression

06-23-2006

According to recent research from the Netherlands, "The mutational status of the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region genes (IGV(H)) is a strong indicator of prognosis in B-cell CLL."

"Since the determination of the IGVH mutation status is very labor-intensive, alternative prognostically relevant markers would facilitate CLL diagnostics. Ten genes were selected from previously published gene expression profiling studies based on their differential expression in IGV(H) mutated versus unmutated cases of CLL, and tested with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) in unpurified samples from 130 CLL patients," explained M.B. Vantveer and colleagues, Erasmus University Medical Center.

"To ascertain potential contaminating effects by normal hematopoietic cells, the expression levels of the selected genes were determined in normal monocytes, B cells, T cells, NK cells and granulocytes. The selected genes, i.e., ZAP70, LPL, SPG20, ADAM29, NRIP1, AKAP12, DMD, SEPT10, TPM2 and CLECSF2, showed prognostic significance.

"In multivariate logistic regression analysis expression levels of LPL, ZAP70, ADAM29 and SEPT10 were the most predictive for IGV(H) mutational status. In univariate analysis the expression of LPL was the best predictor. For survival, expression of LPL was the strongest prognostic factor. In combination with the 3 cytogenetic markers associated with a poor prognosis, i.e., deletions 17p13, 11q22 and trisomy 12, expression of LPL and IGV(H) mutational status performed equally well with regard to their predictive value for survival, both being more predictive than ZAP70," the investigators ascertained.

The researchers concluded, "Interpretations and this study demonstrates that LPL expression is a predictor for survival in CLL, and for this purpose is as good as IGVH mutational status and more reliable than ZAP70 expression when tested in unpurified CLL samples."

Vantveer and colleagues published their study in Haematologica - the Hematology Journal (The predictive value of lipoprotein lipase for survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Haematologica, 2006;91(1):56-63).

For additional information, contact M.B. Vantveer, Erasmus University, Medical Center, Dept. Hematology, Groene Hilledijk 301, POB 5201, NL-3075 EA Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Publisher contact information for the Haematologica - the Hematology Journal is: Ferrata Storti Foundation, Strada Nuova 134, 27100 Pavia, Italy.