PROGNOSTIC MARKERS IN CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA

摘要

Methods and compositions for detecting a form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a subject are described which allow for distinguishing more aggressive forms of the disease from less aggressive forms. Particularly described methods include assaying a sample obtained from the subject having or suspected of having chronic lymphocytic leukemia for a marker selected from a vimentin cleavage product, annexin 5 and 6-phosphogluconolactonase. A combination of any of these markers may be assayed in particular embodiments of a method according to the present invention. In particular embodiments, detection of an intermediate weight vimentin cleavage product is indicative of a less aggressive form of CLL associated with good prognosis.