Analysis of prognostic significance of merkel cell polyomavirus in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

BACKGROUND

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), a ubiquitous DNA tumor virus, has been found to be associated with Merkel cell carcinoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Previous studies have reported conflicting results on the frequency and potential pathogenetic role of MCPyV in CLL. The aim of this study was to evaluate MCPyV's association with CLL and its prognostic significance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 2006 and 2013, DNA samples obtained from CLL patients (n = 119) before treatment were tested for MCPyV using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and verified by gel electrophoresis. Only samples testing positive by both methods were considered valid.

RESULTS

We found that 13 (11%) of 119 CLL cases were positive for MCPyV. Between the groups of MCPyV-positive and -negative patients, there was no significant difference in the sex, age, cytogenetics, presence of p53 defect, or immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGHV) mutational status. In the subset of MCPyV-negative patients, advanced Rai stage (III to IV) was found more frequently, and therapy was initiated more often. There was no difference in overall response rate, median progression-free survival, and overall survival between both groups. We did not observe any new positivity after treatment in initially MCPyV-negative patients.

CONCLUSION

This study provides the first analysis of the prognostic role of MCPyV in CLL. MCPyV occurrence seems to be a relatively rare event during the course of CLL. MCPyV is also unlikely to influence the outcome of CLL patients.