Purpose of review: Many prognostic and predictive biomarkers have been proposed for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Here, we aim to discuss the evidence showing a prognostic potential for extracellular vesicles (EV) and their associated microRNAs (miRNAs).
Recent findings: EV are produced by several cells in the body as a physiological event; however, there is evidence suggesting that an elevated EV concentration is present in the circulation of CLL patients. Moreover, some studies have associated EV concentration with advanced Rai stage and unmutated CLL while others have demonstrated its potential as an independent prognostic factor for TTFT and OS. Finally, some studies have shown that CLL EV shared some dysregulated microRNAs with CLL cells and plasma. On the other hand, it was found that CLL EV has a distinctive microRNA expression profile. Until now, EV-associated miR-155 is the most studied miRNA. Despite methodological diversity and limitations in study design, unanimity in CLL EV concentration behaviour and miRNA content has been found.
Keywords: B cell receptor; Bruton's tyrosine kinase; Rai staging system; TCL-1 mice; Y RNA; ZAP-70; absolute lymphocyte count; argonaute; cancer-associated fibroblasts; chronic lymphocytic leukemia; exosomes; extracellular vesicles; ibrutinib; idelalisib; immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region gene (IGHV); miR-155; miR-21; microRNA; monoclonal B lymphocytosis; monocytes; overall survival; phosphoinositide 3-kinase; small noncoding RNA; time to first treatment.