Detection of elevated serum levels of the chemokine CCL18 in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: identification of a novel biomarker.

摘要

Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines that play a crucial role in directing leucocyte trafficking, homing and haematopoiesis. They are divided into 3 major groups: the inflammatory or inducible chemokines, the homeostatic chemokines, and an overlapping group [1]. The importance of chemokines in various diseases (e.g., allergy, autoimmune disorders, cancer and haematological neoplasias) and in particular in lymphoma dissemination and development has been illustrated extensively [2]. In this context, a special focus was set on B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL), since it is both a common and highly characteristic low-grade lymphoma. Main features of B-CLL are small mature B lymphocytes that are detected in peripheral blood (PB), in lymph nodes and in bone marrow [3]. Two chemokine features should be highlighted in this context: (1) chemokines contribute to lymphoma dissemination, and (2) they can have anti-apoptotic activities, and thus, a tumour-supportive effect [3, 4].