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App improves the prediction of leukemia risk
In leukemia, the course of the disease can take extremely different forms, with a correspondingly variable risk for those affected. A new tool, also available as an app for the smartphone, could allow clinicians to make a much better assessment of the risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In the future, a much more differentiated consultation and treatment would be feasible.
An international research team headed by Professor Michael Hallek from the German CLL Study Group (DCLLSG) at the University of Cologne has developed the tool for assessing the risk in leukemia patients, which also enables physicians to compare the results online. The researchers tested the efficiency of their tools on just under 3,500 subjects, and the very convincing results were published in the journal "The Lancet Oncology".
With the help of a new tool, the risk of leukemia patients can be estimated much better than previously. (Image: Dan Race / fotolia.com) Different risk in leukemia patients
According to the University of Cologne, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is "the most common form of adult leukemia." Thanks to rapid progress in the field of gene analysis, important new insights into CLL have been achieved in recent years. The genanalytic distinctions play a particularly important role here, since the course of the disease can be correspondingly different in CLL patients. Thus, the "disease as an almost harmless, the lifetime not shortening change in laboratory values expressed, but also as a very aggressive, immediately life-threatening leukemia," reports the University of Cologne. Accurate, individualized risk assessment is therefore of paramount importance to patients with CLL.
Differentiated diagnosis and treatment possible
The research team led by Prof. Hallek developed the "CLL International Prognostic Index" (CLL-IPI) as a modern tool for determining the risk in CLL patients. According to the study leader, the CLL-IPI represents a significant advance over traditional staging. The index combines modern and established risk factors and is easily applicable. "With the help of this tool, we will be able to advise and treat CLL patients in a significantly differentiated manner in the future," emphasizes Prof. Hallek, who is also the director of the Center for Integrated Oncology and Director of the Clinic I at the University of Cologne. "This new instrument is an important development on the way from conventional chemotherapy to an ever-increasing use of targeted therapies," says Dr. Gabriele Kröner, Managing Director of the German José Carreras Leukemia Foundation. The foundation had the work of Prof. Dr. med. Michael Hallek, dr. Nadine Kutsch and dr. Jasmin Bahlo (DCLLSG) supported exclusively with a grant of around 130,000 euros.
The "CLL International Prognostic Index" is available online here or can be downloaded as an app for iOS, Android and Windows. (Fp)