CD38, Secondary 17p Deletions Are Prognostic Factors

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CD38 expression and secondary 17p deletion are

important

prognostic factors in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Patrice Chevallier1,2 Dominique Penther1 Hervé

Avet-Loiseau1 Nelly Robillard1 Norbert Ifrah3 Béatrice

Mahé2 Mohamed Hamidou4 Hervé Maisonneuve5 Philippe

Moreau6 Henri Jardel7 Luc Harousseau2 Régis

Bataille1 and Garand1

Summary. CD38 expression and chromosomal abnormalities

are novel prognostic factors in chronic lymphocytic

leukaemia (CLL). However, their value remains

undetermined.

CD38 was evaluated in 123 patients and chromosomal

aberrations in 111 cases with fluorescence in situ

hybridization (FISH). CD38 expression was found in 27%

ofthe cases.

In addition, seven out of 32 CD38- patients became

CD38+ during evolution of the disease.

Chromosomal abnormalities included isolated 13q

deletion (40%), 12q trisomy (14%), 11q deletion

(without 17p deletion) (14%) and 17p deletion (7%).

CD38 expression was significantly associated with

Binet stages B and C, atypical morphology and 11q

deletion. On univariate analysis of survival

estimates, advanced Binet stages, CD38+ phenotype,

atypical morphology and 11q or 17p deletions were

associated with shorter event-free survival (EFS),

treatment-free interval (TFI) and overall survival

(OS).

Multivariate analysis identified both Binet stages and

CD38 as independent prognostic factors with regard to

EFS and TFI. However, CD38 appeared as an independent

factor for OS when restricted to Binet stage A.

Chromosomal aberrations were re-evaluated during

evolution in 31 cases. The 17p deletion was the most

frequent new chromosomal abnormality (35%) and

significantly associated with death (64%).

In conclusion, CD38 expression and secondary 17p

deletion are important poor prognostic indicators,

especially in Binet stage A CLL.

British Journal of Haematology

Volume 116 Issue 1 Page 142 - 2002

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