Validation of a new prognostic index for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
BACKGROUND
The clinical course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is highly variable. A prognostic index based on widely available clinical and laboratory features was recently developed to predict survival among patients with previously untreated CLL. This index requires validation in an independent series of patients before widespread use can be recommended.


METHODS
The Mayo Clinic CLL database was used to evaluate the validity and reproducibility of the new prognostic index.


RESULTS
A total of 440 patients with newly diagnosed CLL who were seen at the Mayo Clinic within 12 months of diagnosis and for whom data were available with which to calculate index score were identified. Patients were classified as low, intermediate, or high risk using the prognostic index. The estimated median survival times were: not reached for low risk, 10.1 years for intermediate risk, and 7.2 years for high risk. The estimated median and 5-year survival by prognostic index risk category were similar to those originally reported. The prognostic index risk category added predictive value beyond that of Rai risk alone (P=.004). The prognostic index risk category remained a predictor of survival when analysis was limited to Rai stage 0 (P=.03) and nonreferred patients (P<.0001) and also predicted time to treatment (P<.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the current study confirm the ability of a newly developed prognostic index to predict survival among patients with previously untreated CLL. The study also extended the utility of the index by demonstrating that it is useful at diagnosis, retains prognostic value when applied exclusively to Rai stage 0 patients, is effective in nonreferred patients, and predicts time to treatment.
Shanafelt
Tait D
TD
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. shanafelt.tait@mayo.edu
Jenkins
Greg
G
Call
Timothy G
TG
Zent
Clive S
CS
Slager
Susan
S
Bowen
Deborah A
DA
Schwager
Susan
S
Hanson
Curtis A
CA
Jelinek
Diane F
DF
Kay
Neil E
NE
D000368:Aged; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000401:mortality*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016019:Survival Analysis