Immunology in CLL

Research could lead to tailored treatments

A relaxed Dr Judy McKenzie.A small group of researchers, led by Dr Judy McKenzie of the Haematology Research Group at the Christchurch School of Medicine, is looking at the immunology of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

“We know that two membrane molecules called CD40 and CD83 play an important role in immune responses, and our research has shown that soluble forms of these molecules can be detected in blood samples of normal individuals. We have established that many leukaemia patients have large amounts of these substances circulating in their plasma, and that in CLL this is a marker of poor survival outcome,” says Dr McKenzie.

What Dr McKenzie and her team have been looking for is a source of these molecules for further studies, a search she says they’ve made good progress on.

They have determined that CLL cells express the genetic code for soluble CD83 and CD40 and that, given appropriate stimuli, the leukaemic cells can be induced to release large amounts of these molecules in cell culture in the laboratory.

“Now we are looking at whether these molecules are actually functional and may be responsible for the breakdown of the immune response in leukaemia,” says Dr McKenzie.

The group is currently preparing research papers on their findings for submission to international journals.

How will the patient benefit?
While these are experimental findings and inclusion in treatment is a long way off, tests showing elevated levels of CD40 and CD83 in the blood may aid in patient management by determining how CLL patients will respond to various treatment options.