A Prodrome for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?

Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis was an early marker in virtually all patients who developed CLL.

Individuals without chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or other B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders are diagnosed as having monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) if a small clonal B-cell population is present in the peripheral blood (absolute lymphocyte count <5000/mm³). MBL is detected in 3% to 5% of people older than 50, and progression to overt CLL occurs in about 1% of MBL patients annually. However, whether MBL always precedes CLL is unclear.

To address this issue, investigators identified patients who developed CLL during a prospective cancer-screening trial involving more than 77,000 healthy individuals (age range, 55–74; Control Clin Trials 2000; 21:Suppl:273S). To assess the emergence or absence of prodromal MBL in CLL patients, th…

Reviewing Author

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee