Regulatory T-cell number is increased in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients and correlates with progressive disease.

[Guest guest]

BlankRegulatory T-cell number is increased in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

patients and correlates with progressive disease.

G D'Arena, L ti, MM Minervini, S Deaglio, L Bonello, L De o, L De

Padua, L Savino, M Tarnani, V De Feo, and N Cascavilla

Leuk Res, September 27, 2010; .

Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, IRCCS " Casa Sollievo della

Sofferenza " Hospital, Viale dei Cappuccini n. 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo,

Italy.

Regulatory T-cells (Treg) actively maintain immunological self-tolerance and

play a significant role in the progression of cancer. Treg cell numbers have

been evaluated in 80 patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic

leukemia (CLL) and in 40 normal healthy volunteers. Treg cells are higher in CLL

patients than in controls and correlate with disease status (more advanced

clinical stage, peripheral blood B-cell lymphocytosis, absolute CD38+ B-cell

number, and more elevated LDH levels). No correlation was found with ZAP-70

expression, IgVH mutational status and cytogenetic abnormalities. This data

shows that Treg cell number is abnormal in CLL patients.

PMID: 20880586