Prognostic value of memory B cell subpopulation in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by aberrant B-cell receptor (BCR) signalling and resistance to apoptosis. Patients with CLL present varied responses to BCR-targeted therapies, this emphasises the need for personalised treatment strategies. The immunophenotype of B cell in patients with CLL may offer valuable insights into disease heterogeneity and immunotherapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the prognostic value of B cell subsets in relation to clinical parameters such as Rai stage, β₂-microglobulin (B2M) levels and the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia International Prognostic Index (CLL-IPI) in untreated patients with CLL. The levels B cell subsets were measured using multicolor flow cytometry. Interestingly, patients with CLL had significantly increased levels of naïve B cells (p < 0.0001). As expected, patients with CLL had significantly decreased levels of marginal zone B cells (p = 0.0059), non-class switched memory B cells (p = 0.0010), and class switched memory B cells (p < 0.0001). Moreover, after adjusting for age and sex, class-switched memory B cells were positively associated with the Rai stage (β = 0.1455, p = 0.0466). In contrast, non-class switched memory B cells inversely correlated with the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia International Prognostic Index (r = -0.79, p = 0.004). These findings suggest that memory B-cell subset profiles may provide valuable prognostic significance in patients with CLL.