Progressive disease in chronic lymphocytic leukemia is correlated with the DNA methylation index.
The DNA methylation index (MI) is calculated as a percentage of methylated cytosines to cytosines. We established the DNA MI in 100 normal individuals ranging in age between 1 month and 94 years and found that the age-specific DNA MI can be calculated (4.00-0.0034 x age). We determined the DNA MI in 23 patients with CLL ranging from 47 to 90 years and compared the results with age-matched controls. Using Cox proportional hazard models for MI, adjusting for age and white blood cell count, only the DNA MI correlated with early clinical indications for systemic therapy (p=0.0038, HR=7.00, 95% CI: 1.90-26.20).
Yu
Margaret K
MK
School of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. margaret.yu@hci.utah.edu
Bergonia
Hector
H
Szabo
Aniko
A
Phillips
John D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019175:DNA Methylation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models