Prognostic factors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Prognostic factors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia Introduction: Search for new prognostic markers in order to improve prognostic accuracy and predict clinical outcome at the time of diagnosis has recently become one of the major trends in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Aims of the project: Assessment of selected markers of apoptosis and angiogenesis and their potential as new prognostic factors and correlation with conventional and modern prognostic factors and clinical course. Patients and Methods: We evaluated serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-ß1) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) using comercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; furthemore, we quantified expression of type II receptor for transforming growth factor beta (TGFßRII) and type 2 receptor for FGF-2 (FGFR2) on CLL cells using flow cytometry analysis in 75 previously untreated patients with CLL (47 males and 28 females, median age, 65 years, range, 38-82) and healthy donors. Results: We found significantly elevated TNF-α in patients with CLL compared to the control group (p