SERUM LEVELS OF SOLUBLE INTERCELLULAR-ADHESION MOLECULE-1 ARE INCREASED IN CHRONIC B-LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA AND CORRELATE WITH CLINICAL STAGEAND PROGNOSTIC MARKERS

The serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) were significantly elevated (P < .001) in patients with chronic B-lym phocytic leukemia (B-CLL. n = 113) compared with healthy controls in = 31). sICAM-1 levels in B-CLL were positively correlated to the tumor mass as reflected by the modified pal and the Binet staging systems, l ymphocyte counts, and isolated spleno/hepatomegaly. During disease pro gression or regression on cytoreductive therapy, the circulating sICAM -1 levels changed accordingly. sICAM-1 was also correlated to a kineti c parameter such as the lymphocyte doubting time. Furthermore, the ser um sICAM-1 levels were inversely correlated to hemoglobin levels in pa tients with early clinical stage. and this may turn out to be of progn ostic value. sICAM-1 was compared with other serum markers said to ref lect disease activity in B-CLL, ie, soluble CD23, thymidine kinase, la ctate dehydrogenase (LDH), and beta(2)-microglobulin. sICAM-1 was equa lly well or better correlated to clinical stage and lymphocyte doublin g time. In univariate regression analysis, all serum markers but LDH c orrelated with survival, and in multivariate analysis, sICAM-1 was the only marker approaching significance for additional prognostic inform ation when included after clinical stage and lymphocyte doubling time. Based on the present observations, it appears that prospective studie s repeatedly monitoring serum sICAM-1 in B-CLL are justified. (C) 1994 by The American Society of Hematology.