Telomere length, molecular cytogenetic findings, and immunophenotypic features in previously untreated patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Telomere length was evaluated by terminal repeat fragment method in 66 previously untreated patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) to ascertain whether telomere shortening was associated with genomic aberrations, immunoglobulin variable heavy chain (IgVH) mutational status, CD38 and ZAP-70 expression, and telomerase activity. Chromosomal aberrations were present in peripheral blood cells of 73% patients (48/66), no difference in telomere length between patients with good and intermediate prognosis according to cytogenetics was found. Association between telomere length and IgVH mutational status, ZAP-70 and CD38 expression was proved as significantly shorter telomeres in patients with unmutated IgVH status (p=0.01) and ZAP-70 positivity (p=0.01) and CD38 positivity (p=0.05) were detected. Telomerase activity was positive in 11 patients out of 21 examined, correlation between telomere length and telomerase activity was found (p=0.05). Telomere length and telomerase activity in combination with other prognostic parameters complete the risk profile of B-CLL patients and might serve for an easy decision on optimal treatment strategy.


BACKGROUND
B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia, telomere length, telomerase activity, chromosomal aberrations, prognosis.
Brezinova
J
J
Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic. brez@uhkt.cz
Berkova
A
A
Vcelikova
S
S
Zemanova
Z
Z
Izakova
S
S
Sarova
I
I
Cechova
H
H
Tajtlova
J
J
Grosova
L
L
Lizcova
L
L
Malinova
E
E
Zemanova
M
M
Cmunt
E
E
Karban
J
J
Trneny
M
M
Schwarz
J
J
Michalova
K
K
D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000032:analysis; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D016615:Telomere; D051746:ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / Q000032:analysis
D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D051746:ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase; C497261:ZAP70 protein, human; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1