CLLU1 as an emerging biomarker in chronic lymphoid leukemia.

CLLU1, a disease-specific gene associated with chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL), is located on chromosome 12q22. Previous studies considered CLLU1 to be a non-coding RNA; however, recent research has discovered that its coding sequence region possesses the potential to encode a short peptide similar to interleukin-4. Remarkably, abnormally elevated expression of CLLU1 has only been detected in chronic lymphoid leukemia among all hematological cancers. High CLLU1 expression often indicates more malignant pathological features and an unfavorable prognosis for patients. Importantly, the expression level of CLLU1 remains unaffected by the passage of time or therapeutic interventions, thus rendering it a novel prognostic marker. This article provides a comprehensive summary of relevant research findings on CLLU1 in the context of CLL prognosis and clinical applications, aiming to guide subsequent theoretical and clinical investigations in this field.

CAR-T Cells in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

The treatment outcomes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have considerably improved with the introduction of targeted therapies based on Bruton kinase inhibitors (BTKIs), venetoclax, and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. However, despite these consistent improvements, patients who become resistant to these agents have poor outcomes and need new and more efficacious therapeutic strategies. Among these new treatments, a potentially curative approach consists of the use of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, which achieved remarkable success in various B-cell malignancies, including B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas (NHLs) and B-acute lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). However, although CAR-T cells were initially used for the treatment of CLL, their efficacy in CLL patients was lower than in other B-cell malignancies. This review analyses possible mechanisms of these failures, highlighting some recent developments that could offer the perspective of the incorporation of CAR-T cells in treatment protocols for relapsed/refractory CLL patients.

Circular RNA as a Biomarker for Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapeutic Target in Acute and Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are single-stranded RNAs that have received much attention in recent years. CircRNAs lack a 5' head and a 3' poly-A tail. The structure of this type of RNAs make them resistant to digestion by exonucleases. CircRNAs are expressed in different cells and have various functions. The function of circRNAs is done by sponging miRNAs, changing gene expression, and protein production. The expression of circRNAs changes in different types of cancers, which causes changes in cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Changes in the expression of circRNAs can cause the invasion and progression of tumors. Studies have shown that changes in the expression of circRNAs can be seen in acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) and chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL). The conducted studies aim to identify circRNAs whose expression has changed in these leukemias and their more precise function so that these circRNAs can be identified as biomarkers, prediction of patient prognosis, and treatment targets for ALL and CLL patients. In this study, we review the studies conducted on the role and function of circRNAs in ALL and CLL patients. The results of the studies show that there is a possibility of using circRNAs as biomarkers in the identification and treatment of patients in the future.

Association of Leukemia With ABO Blood Group Distribution and Discrepancy: A Review Article.

The ABO system is an essential blood group in clinical transfusion medicine implicated in several human diseases. The ABO system has been investigated for over a century, with various studies exploring potential links to disease susceptibility. The study examines the possible relationship between leukemia and the distribution and the ABO blood group system discrepancy. A comprehensive review was conducted on the recommended databases to review the ABO blood groups, their association with leukemia, and the expected changes in blood groups among leukemia patients. The study highlights different kinds of leukemia, such as acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), their characteristics, and their relationship with ABO blood groups. The document concludes that studying ABO blood group distributions among leukemia patients showed that the most common blood group in acute leukemia is the A group, while in chronic leukemia, the O group is predominant; more studies are required. This study also confirmed an association between leukemia and ABO blood group discrepancy.

Subpoblaciones de linfocitos T en adultos mayores cubanos con leucemia linfoide crónica / Subpopulations of T lymphocytes in Cuban older adults with chronic lymphoid leukemia

Introducción: la inmunosenescencia está asociada con un mayor riesgo de desarrollo de cáncer. Dentro de las hemopatías malignas que afectan a este grupo de edad, está la leucemia linfoide crónica (LLC), caracterizada por trastornos en la inmunidad adaptativa que incluye las subpoblaciones de linfocitos T. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de las subpoblaciones de linfocitos T en los pacientes adultos mayores con leucemia linfoide crónica evaluados en el Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología de Cuba. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 30 adultos mayores con leucemia linfoide crónica. Se cuantificaron los linfocitos TCD3+CD4+ y TCD3+CD8+ en sangre periférica por citometría de flujo. Para la lectura y el análisis de los datos se empleó un citómetro de flujo Beckman Coulter Gallios. Se utilizaron los valores porcentuales, la media y la desviación estándar. Se consideró estadísticamente significativo si p≤0.05. Resultados: Hubo un predominio de hombres que representaron el 56,7 por ciento y del grupo de 70-79 años de edad. No se reportó ningún adulto mayor con LLC con valores altos ni normales de linfocitos TCD3+CD4+. Predominaron los hombres con valores bajos porcentuales de linfocitos TCD3+CD4+, TCD3+CD8+ e inversión del índice CD4/CD8 en relación con las mujeres. Conclusiones: Los adultos mayores con LLC presentan alteraciones en el número de las subpoblaciones de linfocitos T. La acción de estas células en relación al crecimiento de células B malignas aún es desconocido y resulta importante determinar si esto puede reflejar un intento de evasión de las células tumorales al control inmunológico(AU)

Introduction: Immunosenescence is associated with an increased risk of cancer development. Among the malignant hemopathies that affect this age group, it is chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL), characterized by disorders in adaptive immunity, which include subpopulations of T lymphocytes. Objective: To determine frequency of T lymphocyte subpopulations in older adult patients with chronic lymphoid leukemia evaluated at the Institute of Hematology and Immunology of Cuba. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 30 older adults with chronic lymphoid leukemia. TCD3+CD4+ and TCD3+CD8+ lymphocytes were quantified in peripheral blood by flow cytometry. A Beckman Coulter Gallios flow cytometer was used to read and analyze the data. The percentage values, the mean and the standard deviation were used. It was considered statistically significant if p≤0.05. Results: There was a predominance of men who represented 56.7 percent and the age group of 70-79 years. No older adults with CLL with high or normal values of TCD3+CD4+ lymphocytes were reported. Men predominated with low percentage values of TCD3+CD4+, TCD3+CD8+ lymphocytes and inversion of the CD4/CD8 ratio in relation to women. Conclusions: Older adult with CLL present alterations in the number of T lymphocyte subpopulations. The role of these cells in relation to the growth of malignant B cells it is unknown and it turns out important to determine if this may reflect an attempt to evade tumor cells from immune control(AU)

Infections in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Infection is a major complication in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Newly diagnosed patients are at high risk of developing infection caused by encapsulated bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophylus influenzae. Method and Results: However, once treatment is initiated, the spectrum of pathogens causing infection broadens, depending on the treatment regimens. With disease progression, cumulative immunosuppression occurs as a consequence of multiple treatment lines and the risk of infection further increases. On the other hand, the use of targeted therapies in the treatment of CLL have brought new risks of infection, with an increased incidence of invasive fungal diseases, particularly aspergillosis, in patients receiving Bruton kinase inhibitors. Conclusion: In this article, we review the epidemiology of infection in patients with CLL, taking into account the treatment regimen, and briefly discuss the management of infection.

Leucemia linfoide crónica: aspectos citogenéticos y moleculares / Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia: cytogenetic and molecular aspects

Introducción: La leucemia linfoide crónica es un trastorno linfoproliferativo caracterizado por la acumulación de linfocitos pequeños de aspecto maduro en sangre periférica, médula ósea y tejidos linfoides con un período de vida prolongado. Presenta una gran variabilidad clínica y genética. Objetivo: Describir los aspectos citogenéticos y moleculares de la leucemia linfoide crónica. Métodos: Se realizó revisión de la literatura en inglés y español, a través del sitio web PubMed y el motor de búsqueda Google académico, de artículos publicados en los últimos 5 años. Se hizo un análisis y resumen de la bibliografía revisada. Desarrollo: En la leucemia linfoide crónica están presentes alteraciones citogenéticas frecuentes como la deleción de los cromosomas 13q, 11q y 17p, así como la trisomía 12, que unido al conocimiento del estado mutacional del gen de la región variable de la cadena pesada de la inmunoglobulina, y otras mutaciones somáticas en diferentes genes, así como a variables clínicas y de laboratorio permiten la estratificación pronóstica de los pacientes. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico a través de los estudios citogenéticos convencionales estimulados con mitógenos, la hibridación in situ por fluorescencia y la secuenciación génica permite una mayor comprensión de la biología de la enfermedad, así como tomar decisiones terapéuticas más personalizadas(AU)

Introduction: Chronic B lymphoid leukemia is a lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by the accumulation of small, mature-looking lymphocytes in peripheral blood, bone marrow and lymphoid tissues with a long life span. It has great clinical and genetic variability. Objective: To describe the cytogenetic and molecular aspects of the disease. Methods: A review of the literature in English and in Spanish was carried out, in the PubMed website and using the search engine of Google Scholar, for articles published in the last five years. We performed analysis and summary of the reviewed bibliography. Development: In chronic lymphoid leukemia, frequent cytogenetic alterations are present such as deletion of chromosomes 13q, 11q and 17p, as well as trisomy 12, which together with the knowledge of the mutational status of the gene for the variable region of the immunoglobulin heavy chain and other somatic mutations in different genes, as well as clinical and laboratory variables allows prognostic stratification of patients. Conclusions: Diagnosis through conventional mitogen-stimulated cytogenetic studies, fluorescence in situ hybridization and gene sequencing allow a better understanding of the biology of the disease, as well as making more personalized therapeutic decisions(AU)

Actualidades terapéuticas en la leucemia linfoide crónica / Therapeutic news in chronic lymphoid leukemia

Introducción: La leucemia linfoide crónica es una neoplasia linfoproliferativa crónica caracterizada por el aumento de una población clonal linfoide disfuncional con inmunofenotipo B (> 95 por ciento) y excepcionalmente T (< 5 por ciento) que afecta sobre todo a personas mayores de 55 años de edad y se incrementa su frecuencia hacia la séptima década de vida. Objetivo: Analizar las principales modalidades terapéuticas para el manejo de la leucemia linfoide crónica. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión de la literatura, en inglés y español, a través del sitio web PubMed y el motor de búsqueda Google académico de artículos publicados en los últimos 5 años. Se hizo un análisis y resumen de la bibliografía revisada. Análisis y síntesis de la información: La leucemia linfoide crónica se consideró durante décadas una enfermedad del paciente añoso, en general de curso indolente, con una evolución impredecible e incurable. El tratamiento de esta enfermedad en los últimos 30 años ha sufrido cambios muy significativos que han repercutido favorablemente en el incremento de la supervivencia global y libre de enfermedad de los pacientes que la padecen. Conclusión: Se debe mantener un adecuado seguimiento de los pacientes con leucemia linfoide crónica, pues esto permitirá disminuir en lo posible las complicaciones, la progresión y un aumento de la supervivencia global(AU)

Introduction: Chronic lymphoid leukemia is a chronic lymphoproliferative neoplasm characterized by the increase of a dysfunctional lymphoid clonal population with immunophenotype B (> 95 percent) and exceptionally T (<5 percent), it mainly affects people over 55 years of age, increasing towards the seventh decade of life. Objective: To analyze the main therapeutic modalities for the management of chronic lymphoid leukemia. Methods: A literature review was carried out, in English and Spanish, through the PubMed website and the academic search engine Google for articles published in the last 5 years. An analysis and summary of the revised bibliography was made. Analysis and synthesis of the information: Chronic lymphoid leukemia was considered for decades a disease of the elderly patient, generally of an indolent course, unpredictable and incurable evolution. The treatment of this disease has undergone in the last 30 years very significant changes that have had a favorable impact on the increase in the overall and disease-free survival of patients who suffer from it. Conclusion: Adequate follow-up of patients with chronic lymphoid leukemia must be maintained, as this will make it possible to reduce complications, progression and increase overall survival as much as possible(AU)

Aspectos clinicoepidemiológicos de la leucemia linfoide crónica / Clinical epidemiological aspects of chronic lymphoid leukaemia

Se hizo un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo de 71 pacientes con leucemia linfoide crónica, atendidos en el Servicio de Hematología del Hospital General Docente Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero del 2001 hasta noviembre del 2006, con vistas a identificar algunas variables clinicoepidemiológicas en ellos, mostrar las terapéuticas más empleadas, así como evaluar la supervivencia, las principales causas de la entidad clínica y la mortalidad. En la serie predominaron los ancianos, el sexo masculino y la categoría de alto riesgo correspondiente a los estadios avanzados. El esquema terapéutico de clorambucil y prednisona fue el más empleado, con buenos resultados en la mayoría de los integrantes de la casuística. La supervivencia de los pacientes, en general, osciló entre 1-5 años, en tanto las muertes ocurridas fueron causadas por progresión de la enfermedad, procesos infecciosos respiratorios, transformación prolinfocítica, segundas neoplasias y accidentes vasculares encefálicos.

A descriptive and retrospective study of 71 patients with chronic lymphoid leukemia, attended at the Hematology Service from Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out from January, 2001 to November, 2006, in order to identify some clinical epidemiological variables on them, to show the therapeutical variables more used, as well as to assess survival, mortality, and the main causes of the clinical entity. Elderly, male sex, and high risk category related to advanced stage were predominant in the series. The therapeutical schedule of chlorambucil and prednisone was the most used, achieving good results in the majority of the case material. The survival of patients, in general, ranged among 1-5 years, whereas deaths occurred due to disease progression, infectious respiratory processes, pro-lymphocytic transformation, second neoplasias, and strokes.