Zing NPC, Fischer T, Fortier SC, Bueno da Silveira TM and Chiattone CS
The level of immunoglobulins (Igs) at the time of diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is related to disease stage and outcomes. In order to explore this association, 161 patient records over a period of 8 years from the ISCMSP hospital were analyzed. The majority was male (52.8%), median age was 65 and classified as Binet stage A (59%). In relation to Igs, abnormal (low or high) levels were more frequently found in patients classified as Binet B/C than A (IgG: 53.32% vs. 29.21%; p=0.004; and IgA: 46.66 vs. 21.34; p=0.002, respectively). Patients with IgA deficiency had worse overall survival than those with normal values (49.6%, 5y vs. 83%, 5y; p=0.001). Abnormal IgG levels were associated with lower time to first treatment (51.7%, 5y vs. 29%, 5y; p=0.013). Therefore, immune dysfunction is associated with disease aggressiveness and poor outcomes, and Igs levels could be an important, easy to apply independent prognostic marker in CLL management, especially in the face of limited recourses.
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