The 13th international workshop on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (iwCLL) was held in Barcelona, Spain from Oct 16-18, 2009. Professor Emili Montserrat commented that 60 individuals attended the iwCLL meeting held in Barcelona 12 years ago. This year, 1,200 doctors and researchers attended this conference. This quite clearly demonstrates the tremendous increase in energy which has occurred in the CLL research arena.
The topics for the sessions were divided into epidemiology (including familial CLL), diagnosis, molecular biology, cellular biology, prognostic factors, phase III treatments, stem cell transplantation, immune therapy and novel treatment approaches.
Epidemiology
The group from the United Kingdom, headed by Richard Houlston, has identified a number of areas of interest for identifying genes that are involved with familial CLL. This research suggests susceptibility to CLL through genetic association. On the other hand, research from Brazilian investigators suggested that the familial linkage might not be as relevant in predicting the occurrence of CLL. Monocloncal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL), a potential precursor to CLL, was found to be similarly prevalent in first degree relatives of patients with sporadic CLL as well as familial CLL. So, the question arises as to whether there are specific familial CLL genes or just susceptibly genes which are present not only in familial cases but also in non-familial or sporadic cases of CLL.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis section was dominated by discussions relating to MBL. In this situation, a very small population of CLL cells can be identified by sophisticated flow cytometry. This occurs in up to 10% of males over the age of 60 and approximately 5% in women of the same age group. It is now clear that these patients have a very low risk of progressing to CLL requiring treatment even though the family of cells is present. It can be considered a benign or pre-malignant situation, much the same as polyps in the colon are related to colorectal cancer.
Molecular Biology
The molecular biology section was probably the most novel area. It is clear that we are honing in on genes which regulate the progression of CLL. The C MYC gene, identified by Dr. Carlo Croce many years ago, was found to be regulated by B-cell stimulating molecules (B-cell activating factor or BAFF). It is now becoming clear that the genes in CLL are fine-tuned by a process called methylation (methyl groups added to DNA to inactivate the genes). There are emerging drugs in CLL that change the methylation pattern which will affect the activity of the genetic material. We can demonstrate that the chromosome changes which have been detected by conventional cytogenetics or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technology are accompanied by many other genetic changes detected by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) studies.
Cellular Biology
The cellular biology session was also rich in new information. Evidence was presented indicating that strangely named molecules such as HS1, PHLPP1, Interleukin 17, and CCL3 chemokine are all involved in the regulation of CLL. As we enhance our understanding of molecular and cellular biology, we will identify key pathways which are associated with activity of the CLL and the likelihood of progression.
Prognostic Factors
The study and identification of prognostic factors is exploding. More and more characteristics are being found which predict those patients who are likely to progress. We are almost to the point where there is a “prognostic factor of the month.” One of the key prognostic factors is p53 which is an important protein that allows cells to die once they are attacked by treatments which affect DNA. The loss of the p53 gene, as detected by FISH, is important in the survival of CLL cells. Mutations in the gene are key to predicting whether the disease will behave in an aggressive fashion and in predicting a patient’s response to therapy.
Immune Therapy and Immune Disturbance
The immune disturbance section focused largely on the abnormal regulation of the immune T-lymphocytes in CLL. This has been very well defined in mouse models of CLL that mimic the human experience. It is almost certain that these T-cell abnormalities also have a major impact on whether the patients develop “rogue” antibodies which attack normal blood cells.
During the Immunotherapy section, a variety of strategies were presented. The Northwestern Group (Chicago) looked at a combination of antibodies to affect an immune response. This follows upon an earlier study conducted at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Tadeusz Robak presented on the recently FDA-approved antibody ofatumumab (Arzerra). It is clear that this is a major new drug giving reason for optimism for improved response to antibody therapy. A new concept, chimeric antigen receptors, was also presented. Antibody-like molecules are identified which attach specifically to proteins on the surface of CLL cells and also to the immune cells. Essentially, this allows the immune cells to selectively kill any identified CLL cells.
Phase III Treatment
During the treatment session (for later stage protocols), the FCR regimen was highlighted for its demonstrated efficacy. In a separate study, increased toxicity was observed when rituximab was replaced with alemtuzumab. The CLL physician community has discussed at length whether CT scans are needed in the decision making process. The German CLL Study Group showed that CT scans were influential in the treatment decisions in less than 5% of the patients, specifically whether to treat, not treat or change treatment.
Stem Cell Transplant
Stem cell transplant is emerging as a major potential for the cure of CLL. It is clear that doing transplants with a patients own blood stem cell (autologous) does not result in a cure for CLL patients. On the other hand, stem cell transplants from relatives, unrelated donors, or cord blood can be associated with long-term survival.
Novel Treatment Approaches
A number of new agents were presented including DMAG which attacks ZAP-70, an important enzyme associated with proliferation or growth in CLL. A new molecule, CAL101 is a potent inhibitor of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase). This oral medication has shown a clinical response in approximately half of the patients. While it is unlikely that CAL101 will be a major drug by itself, it has the potential of being combined with other established regimens.
A PARP inhibitor was shown to play an important role in controlling cell death of CLL cells. PARPs have a major role in DNA repair mechanisms, including the repair pathway for the tumor-suppressor proteins. Mutations in the proteins disrupt normal repair processes and allow emergence of a tumor. PARP inhibitors, such as the drug AZD2881, have been shown in animals to suppress the growth of CLL cells. This agent has already shown activity in breast cancer patients and will shortly be applied in the clinic in CLL.
Looking forward
There was tremendous energy at the iwCLL meeting. The quality of the abstracts was highly significant. Abstracts that were presented during the poster sessions generated vibrant interaction between the presenters and attendees. We are now focusing our attention to the 14th iwCLL workshop which will be held in Houston in 2011. At the 2011 meeting, I predict that we will hear even more about the use of immunotherapy to kill off leukemic cells. Our challenge is to go from having effective treatments, giving high complete remission rates, very long remission durations and survival advantage to the next level where we can effectively cure the disease. This is likely to occur from immunology with education of the immune system to kill off the leukemic cells. This is a fertile area of research and I am sure it will be very prominent at the next iwCLL meeting in 2011.
