Increased Incidence of T-Cell Malignancies in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

We present a patient with chemotherapy-refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in whom postmortem examination showed hepatosplenomegaly, with both multiple small-cellular CLL lesions and large-cellular, monoclonal T-cell infiltrates. Following this case, the co-incidence of T-cell malignancies and CLL was studied using Dutch and American cancer registry databases. Analysis showed an excess risk for T-cell malignancies in CLL patients, with increased standardized incidence ratios compared with the general population and all cancer survivors in the databases. We hypothesize that CLL cells interact with T-cells in the microenvironment, facilitating malignant transformatio

A population-based study of transformed marginal zone lymphoma:identifying outcome-related characteristics

Histological transformation of marginal zone lymphoma (tMZL) into diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is associated with poor outcomes. Clinical characteristics associated with transformation risk and outcome after transformation are largely unknown due to scarcity of data. In this population-based study, competing risk analyses were performed to elucidate clinical characteristics associated with developing transformation among 1793 MZL patients using the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Cox regression analyses were performed to elucidate clinical characteristics associated with risk of relapse and mortality after transformation. Transformation occurred in 75 (4%) out of 1793 MZL patients. Elevated LDH and nodal MZL subtype at MZL diagnosis were associated with an increased risk, and radiotherapy with a reduced risk of developing tMZL. Most tMZL patients received R-(mini)CHOP (n = 53, 71%). Age &gt;60 years and (immuno)chemotherapy before transformation were associated with an increased risk of relapse and mortality after transformation. Two-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 66% (95% CI 52-77%) and 75% (95% CI 62-85%) for R-(mini)CHOP-treated tMZL patients, as compared to a PFS and OS both of 41% (95% CI 19-63%) for patients treated otherwise. Our study offers comprehensive insights into characteristics associated with transformation and survival after transformation, thereby optimizing guidelines and patient counseling.</p

COVID-19 severity and mortality in patients with CLL: an update of the international ERIC and Campus CLL study

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be more susceptible to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to age, disease, and treatment-related immunosuppression. We aimed to assess risk factors of outcome and elucidate the impact of CLL-directed treatments on the course of COVID-19. We conducted a retrospective, international study, collectively including 941 patients with CLL and confirmed COVID-19. Data from the beginning of the pandemic until March 16, 2021, were collected from 91 centers. The risk factors of case fatality rate (CFR), disease severity, and overall survival (OS) were investigated. OS analysis was restricted to patients with severe COVID-19 (definition: hospitalization with need of oxygen or admission into an intensive care unit). CFR in patients with severe COVID-19 was 38.4%. OS was inferior for patients in all treatment categories compared to untreated (p < 0.001). Untreated patients had a lower risk of death (HR = 0.54, 95% CI:0.41–0.72). The risk of death was higher for older patients and those suffering from cardiac failure (HR = 1.03, 95% CI:1.02–1.04; HR = 1.79, 95% CI:1.04–3.07, respectively). Age, CLL-directed treatment, and cardiac failure were significant risk factors of OS. Untreated patients had a better chance of survival than those on treatment or recently treated

The evolving landscape of COVID‐19 and post‐COVID condition in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A study by ERIC, the European research initiative on CLL

In this retrospective international multicenter study, we describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and related disorders (small lymphocytic lymphoma and high-count monoclonal B lymphocytosis) infected by SARS-CoV-2, including the development of post-COVID condition. Data from 1540 patients with CLL infected by SARS-CoV-2 from January 2020 to May 2022 were included in the analysis and assigned to four phases based on cases disposition and SARS-CoV-2 variants emergence. Post-COVID condition was defined according to the WHO criteria. Patients infected during the most recent phases of the pandemic, though carrying a higher comorbidity burden, were less often hospitalized, rarely needed intensive care unit admission, or died compared to patients infected during the initial phases. The 4-month overall survival (OS) improved through the phases, from 68% to 83%, p = .0015. Age, comorbidity, CLL-directed treatment, but not vaccination status, emerged as risk factors for mortality. Among survivors, 6.65% patients had a reinfection, usually milder than the initial one, and 16.5% developed post-COVID condition. The latter was characterized by fatigue, dyspnea, lasting cough, and impaired concentration. Infection severity was the only risk factor for developing post-COVID. The median time to resolution of the post-COVID condition was 4.7 months. OS in patients with CLL improved during the different phases of the pandemic, likely due to the improvement of prophylactic and therapeutic measures against SARS-CoV-2 as well as the emergence of milder variants. However, mortality remained relevant and a significant number of patients developed post-COVID conditions, warranting further investigations

Standards for the treatment of relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a case-based study

In recent years, considerable advances have been made in first-line treatment strategies for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Combination of conventional chemotherapy with immunotherapeutic agents is currently considered the most active strategy, with improved progression-free survival and overall survival. However, patients are not cured and invariably experience relapsing disease requiring treatment. In contrast to the advances made in first-line treatment strategies, much less progress has been made for patients with relapsed and especially refractory CLL. The activity of most chemotherapeutic drugs used in CLL rely on intact p53 function, and repeated cycles of therapy might eventually result in drug resistance because of acquired cytogenetic alterations, mainly affecting genes involved in the p53 response. As a consequence, most commonly used treatment regimens are ineffective in patients with refractory disease. A number of promising alternative treatment approaches are currently under investigation. In this review, the approach to patients with relapsed and refractory CLL and current promising experimental treatment options for these distinct clinical patient categories are discusse

Engaging Cytotoxic T and NK Cells for Immunotherapy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by an acquired immune dysfunction. CLL cells affect the phenotype and function of the entire spectrum of innate and adaptive immune cells, including monocytes, T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, leading to a tumor-supportive environment and reduced immunosurveillance. Novel immunotherapies like immune checkpoint blockade, bi- and tri-specific antibodies, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells use the patients' immune system to induce therapeutic responses. Although these novel immunotherapies showed impressive results in several B cell lymphomas, responses in CLL were often disappointing. The strong immunomodulatory effect of CLL is believed to play a pivotal role in the low response rates to these immunotherapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize how CLL influences the function of non-malignant lymphocytes, with a special focus on T and NK cells, two important cellular mediators for immunotherapy. Secondly, we provide a short overview of the activity of several immunotherapeutics in CLL, and discuss how novel strategies may overcome the disappointing response rates in CLL

Autoimmune cytopenias in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a concise review and treatment recommendations

Introduction: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is frequently complicated by cytopenias, either due to bone marrow infiltration or autoimmunity, resulting in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), or autoimmune neutropenia (AIN). Morbidity due to autoimmune cytopenias (AIC) can be substantial; in addition, infection risk increases and pre-existing infections might deteriorate due to immunosuppressive medication. In the aging population, CLL occurs more frequently and AIC related to CLL represent a growing clinical challenge. Areas covered: This review summarizes current knowledge on pathophysiological mechanisms involved in AIC development and their prognostic significance. It provides diagnostic criteria and a treatment guideline for daily clinical practice, which includes the role of novel targeted agents. Expert commentary: The pathophysiology of AIC involves loss of self-tolerance, antigen presentation by malignant CLL cells, and autoantibody production through aberrant T- and B-cell function. The value of detecting autoantibodies via the direct antiglobulin test (DAT) is disputable, since a positive test does not imply overt hemolysis. Importantly, AIC should be distinguished from infiltrative cytopenias, because of prognostic and therapeutic consequences. Compared to chemotherapy, triggering AIC by targeted therapies is less common and, hence, these agents may be valuable as treatment for CLL-related immune cytopenias