Sensitivity of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells to chemotherapeutic drugs ex vivo depends on expression status of cell surface receptors.

Unlabelled: Response of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients to classical chemoimmunotherapy that remains the main strategy in treatment of this disease is strikingly variable. This issue requires the finding of biomarkers which could predict efficiency of drug administration and choose the best treatment option for each patient individually. The aim of this study was to find out association between cell surface receptors expression levels and CLL B cells sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs ex vivo.

Materials And Methods: The study was performed on malignant B cells isolated from peripheral blood of primary CLL patients. Flow cytometry, qPCR, ex vivo drug sensitivity assay, and cell viability assay were used in this study.

Results: The high CD5 expression level was linked to better bendamustine (BEN) and cyclophosphamide (CP) CLL B cells response in contrast to B cells with low CD5 expression. Sensitivity of CLL B cells to CP also could be predicted by high level of CD20 expression. Expression of CD38 and high levels of CD37 and CD40 showed CLL B cells resistance to BEN ex vivo. CLL B cells sensitivity to analyzed chemotherapeutic drugs was not dependent on CD22 expression status. The CD180 expression was detected in CLL B cells which were more susceptible to fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC) combinatory action. CLL B cells that coexpressed CD150 and CD180 on the cell surface were characterized by significantly decreased cell viability under fludarabine (FLU) exposure alone or FC in comparison with CD150CD180 B cells. Cell surface expression level of CD150 was not associated with CLL B cells chemosensitivity. However, high mRNA expression level of mCD150 isoform in CLL B cells was linked to their FLU sensitivity and CP resistance, while high nCD150 mRNA expression level showed resistance to FLU. Simultaneous CD150 and CD180 ligation increased FLU resistance, but BEN susceptibility of CLL B cells. CD150 and CD180 alone or in combination are involved in upregulation of CD20 cell surface expression.

Conclusion: Expression status of the CD5, CD20, CD37, CD38, CD40, CD150, and CD180 cell surface receptors could be used in prediction CLL B cells sensitivity to FLU, CP, BEN and FC ex vivo. Moreover, CD150 and CD180 receptors are involved in regulation of CLL B cells susceptibility to FLU and BEN. The CD150 and CD180 are positive regulators of CD20 expression that could make CD150CD180 CLL B cells more responsive to CD20-based immunotherapy.