Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - CLL

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by small lymphocytes in the bone marrow, blood, and lymphoid tissues. CLL is the most common form of leukemia in adults in the U.S. and represents 40% of all adult leukemias in Western countries.

Key Points

CLL Prognostic Markers

The diagnosis of CLL generally requires detection of >5,000 CLL-type cells per microliter of peripheral blood. CLL cells typically express CD19, weak CD20, and CD23 (B-cell antigens), along with CD5 (a T-cell antigen); these are usually assessed by flow cytometry immunophenotyping.

Cytogenetic, molecular, and flow cytometric testing play an important role in prognostication for CLL patients.

Molecular Markers in CLL
Marker Biology Prognosis

Cytogenetics – cytogenomic SNP microarray is preferred test for detection of prognostically important genomic abnormalities (loss/gain of DNA and/or loss of heterozygosity) in hematologic malignancies (CLL, acute myeloid leukemia [AML], acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL], myelodysplastic syndromes [MDS]/AML with normal karyotype)

Microarray test may not detect low-level clones (<15-20%); therefore, ideal testing time is when significant disease is present

ARUP Tests

Cytogenomic SNP Microarray-Oncology 2006325

Chromosome FISH, CLL Panel 2002295

(Includes ATM (11q22.3), Chromosome 12 centromere (Trisomy 12), (D13S319) 13q14.3, p53 (17p13.1)

del(17p) typically involves the TP53 gene and del(11q) contains the ATM gene; both genes are tumor suppressors

Loss of p53 function or its activator, the ATM protein kinase, is associated with treatment resistance and clinically aggressive disease

del(17p) and/or del(11q) correlate with nonmutated IGHV gene

Karyotypic evolution may occur over course of disease

Least favorable outcome associated with del(17p), followed by del(11q), then trisomy 12q

More favorable outcome associated with del(13q) and normal diploid karyotype

Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Variable Region Gene (IGHV) Mutation Status – determine risk group in newly diagnosed CLL

ARUP Test

IGHV Mutation Analysis by Sequencing 0040227

Immunoglobulin heavy variable genes encode the antigen-binding domain of B-cell antigen receptor (surface immunoglobulin)

Somatic hypermutation of IGHV diversifies antigen-binding repertoire in normal B cells

IGHV mutation status of CLL tends to remain constant over course of disease

del(17p) and/or del(11q) correlate with nonmutated IGHV genes

CLL cases with mutated IGHV genes typically have more indolent clinical course, while those with unmutated IGHV genes often behave in an aggressive fashion

CLL cases that employ VH3-21 segment typically have an unfavorable outcome regardless of mutation status

CD38 expression – for initial diagnosis and assessment of levels of CD38 expression

Follow-up studies (CD5, CD19, CD20, CD23, kappa, lambda, FMC7, CD38)

ARUP Test

Leukemia/Lymphoma Phenotyping Evaluation by Flow Cytometry 3001780

Transmembrane glycoprotein modulates intracellular signaling

May reflect proliferative status of CLL cells

Cases that express CD38 often have nonmutated IGHV genes

CD38 expression levels may vary over course of disease

Expression of CD38 by CLL cells is associated with an unfavorable outcome

Dohner, 2001; Furman, 2010; Van Bockstaele, 2009

Diagnosis

Indications for Testing

Adult with persistent, unexplained lymphocytosis of ≥3 months' duration found on CBC; lymphadenopathy

Laboratory Testing

  • Initial testing – CBC with differential, platelets, lactate dehydrogenase (LD) concentration
    • Diagnosis of CLL requires ≥5,000 lymphocytes/µL
  • Serum testing – monoclonal antibody panels (minimal)
    • B cell – kappa/lambda, CD5, CD10, CD19, CD23, FMC7
    • T cell – CD3, CD4, CD5, CD6, CD7, CD8, CD25, CD30
  • Diagnosis based on lymphocytosis, morphology, and immunophenotyping (CD5+, CD19+, CD20 [weak], CD23+, CD10-)
  • CLL FISH panel may aid in diagnosis
    • CLL must be differentiated from mantle cell lymphoma – consider ordering testing for t(11;14) IGH/CCND

Histology

  • Bone marrow sampling – unnecessary if characteristic phenotype, consistent cytology is present, and CBC is normal (based on IWCLL, 2008, recommendations)
  • If performed, typically hyper- or normo-cellularity, nodular or diffuse pattern of lymphocytic infiltration in >10% of nucleated cells
  • Consider immunophenotyping, if marrow obtained
  • Immunohistochemistry – p53 (KRAS) positivity may correlate with TP53 gene mutation

Prognosis

  • SNP microarray testing – preferred test for detection of genomic abnormalities; may not detect low-level clones
  • Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing also used
  • Prognostic factors for CLL
    Factor Outcome
    Good Poor

    Stage (Rai and Binet systems)

    Rai 0, I

    Binet A

    Rai II, III, IV

    Binet B or C

    Lymphocyte morphology

    Typical

    Atypical

    Lymphocyte doubling time

    Low

    Elevated

    Serum markers

    LD

    Normal

    Elevated

    Beta-2 microglobulin

    Normal

    Elevated

    Thymidine kinase

    Normal

    Elevated

    Soluble CD23

    Normal

    Elevated

    Cytogenetics (FISH, SNP microarray)

    Genetic abnormalities

    Normal diploid

    del(13)(q14) only

    del(17)(p13.1)

    del(11)(q22.3)

    Trisomy 12+

    Molecular Markers (FISH, PCR)

    CD38 expression

    <30%

    ≥30%

    IGVH gene mutation

    >2%

    ≤2%

    Note: TP53 and KRAS mutations are associated with therapy resistance to alkylating agents, fludarabine, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (eg, rituximab)

Differential Diagnosis

Monitoring

  • Flow cytometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) used for follow-up to detect minimal residual disease (MRD)
    • Cytogenomic microarray not recommended for MRD
  • Infectious disease screening prior to and during therapy
    • Hepatitis B – identify infection prior to initiating CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy
      • Monitor all patients with positive test result who are receiving therapy
    • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibodies – high risk of CMV reactivation with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy
      • Monitor every 2-3 weeks in patients using alemtuzumab
    • Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Pneumocystis jirovecii risk of reactivation of these infections in patients with HIV who undergo therapy
      • HSV and P. jirovecii testing as indicated

Background

Epidemiology

  • Incidence – 4/100,000 (Hallek, 2015)
  • Age – median 67-72 years (Hallek, 2015)
    • 80% diagnosed ≥60 years
    • Rare in patients <50 years (~10% of cases)
  • Sex – M>F, 2.8:1
  • Ethnicity – lower risk in Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino ethnicities

Risk Factors

  • Family member with CLL
    • First-degree relative has threefold risk of developing CLL or other lymphoid neoplasm

Pathophysiology

  • Specific subtypes
    • Small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL) – different manifestation of CLL if nodes are principally involved
      • SLL has similar biology and  same treatment approach
    • Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) – asymptomatic patient with <5,000 circulating CLL phenotype cells per microliter and no node involvement
      • Precedes development of CLL
      • MBL estimated to be present in 5% of adults ≥50 years; however, general screening for MBL is not recommended
      • MBL with lymphocytosis >4,000 CLL phenotype cells per microliter progresses into CLL at a rate of 1% per year

Clinical Presentation

  • CLL principally involves bone marrow and blood
    • Majority of patients present as asymptomatic with lymphocytosis found on CBC
    • Disease may remain indolent for several years until treatment is required
  • Symptoms
    • Constitutional symptoms – night sweats, weight loss, fatigue
    • Adenopathy – most patients have some degree of adenopathy at presentation
      • Hepatosplenomegaly
      • Lymph nodes – most commonly cervical, supraclavicular, axillary
    • Extranodal disease – uncommon
    • Complications
      • Large-cell transformation (Richter syndrome)
      • Autoimmune cytopenias (autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, pure red cell aplasia)

ARUP Laboratory Tests

Primary Tests

Aid in evaluation of hematopoietic neoplasms (ie, leukemia, lymphoma)

Specimens include bone marrow, whole blood, tissue, or fluid

Monitor therapy in patients with established diagnosis of hematopoietic neoplasms

Markers selected based on provided clinical history and/or previous test results

Antigens included

T cell: CD1a, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, TCR γ-δ, cytoplasmic CD3

B cell: CD10, CD19, CD20, CD22, CD23, CD103, CD200, kappa, lambda, cytoplasmic kappa, cytoplasmic lambda

Myeloid/monocyte: CD11b, CD13, CD14 (Mo2), CD14 (MY4), CD15, CD33, CD64, CD117, myeloperoxidase

Miscellaneous: CD11c, CD16, CD25, CD30, CD34, CD38, CD41, CD42b, CD45, CD56, CD57, CD61, HLA-DR, glycophorin, TdT, bcl-2, CD123, CD138, CD26, CD45, CRLF-2

Preferred test at time of diagnosis to detect prognostically important genomic abnormalities (loss/gain of DNA and/or loss of heterozygosity) in hematologic malignancies

Useful in patients with <20 normal metaphases or with no mitosis to consider on conventional cytogenetics

Monitor disease progression and response to therapy

Low-level mosaicism (<15-20%) may not be detected; test may not be appropriate for individuals with expected lower levels of malignant cells

Does not detect balanced rearrangements; FISH should be used to evaluate specific balanced rearrangements in the following

  • ALL – balanced translocation 9;22 (ABL1-BCR), translocation 12;21 (ETV6-RUNX1), and balanced rearrangement o MLL, IGH, MYC, and TCF3
  • AML – balanced translocation 15;17 (PML-RARA), translocation 8;21 (RUNX1T1-RUNX1), and balanced rearrangement of the MLL or the CBFB gene

Does not detect base-pair mutations or very small deletions/duplications; imbalances of the mitochondrial genome; low-level clones (not recommended for MRD)

Detect chromosome abnormalities in bone marrow aspirate

Determine risk group for newly diagnosed CLL

Time-sensitive test

Assay is designed for those with a confirmed CLL diagnosis

For diagnoses other than CLL, testing will terminate after amplification and will not include sequencing

Assesses for single gene mutations, including substitutions and smaller insertions and deletions that may have implications for prognosis or clinical management in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or other B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders

Alternate test for detection of prognostically important genomic gains and losses in CLL

Use for CLL prognostication

Includes ATM (11q22.3); chromosome 12 centromere (trisomy 12); D13S319 (13q14.3); p53 (17p13.1)

Not as sensitive as cytogenomic SNP microarray assay

Determine risk group for newly diagnosed CLL

Stained and resulted by ARUP

Primarily aids the distinction between CLL/SLL and mantle cell lymphoma where CD200 is usually positive in CLL/SLL and negative in mantle cell lymphoma; CD200 is also positive in other B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders

Stained and returned to client pathologist for interpretation; consultation available if needed

Related Tests

Use for CLL prognostication

Diagnose, prognose, and monitor hematopoietic neoplasms (eg, lymphoma in bone marrow)

Diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of hematopoietic neoplasms

This test is intended for oncology studies; for chromosome analysis to evaluate for a constitutional finding, order Chromosome Analysis, Peripheral Blood

Detect chromosome abnormalities in leukemic blood

Aid in histologic diagnosis of B-cell leukemia/lymphoma

Stained and returned to client pathologist for interpretation; consultation available if needed

References

Additional Resources

Medical Experts

Contributor

Bahler

David W. Bahler, MD, PhD
David W. Bahler, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Pathology (Clinical), University of Utah
Medical Director, Hematopathology, ARUP Laboratories
Contributor

Lamb

Allen N. Lamb, PhD, FACMG
Allen N. Lamb, PhD, FACMG
Retired Former Professor of Pathology (Clinical), University of Utah
Retired Former Laboratory Section Chief, Cytogenetics and Genomic Microarray, ARUP Laboratories