Blockage of autophagic flux is associated with lymphocytosis and higher percentage of tumoral cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B cells

Purpose Autophagy has lately emerged as an important biological process with implications in several hematological pathologies. Recently, a growing body of evidence supports a putative role of autophagy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia; however, no definitive clue has been established so far. To elucidate this issue, we have developed a pilot study to measure autophagic flux in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, and explored its correlation with classical clinical/analytical parameters. Methods/patients Thirty-three chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients participated in the study. Autophagic flux in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was determined by western blot measuring the levels of the proteins p62 and lipidated LC3. Moreover, p62 mRNA levels were analyzed by RT-qPCR. Results Lymphocytosis and the percentage of tumoral lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients statistically correlate with a blocked autophagic flux. Conclusion Alterations in autophagic flux could play an important role in the physiopathology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.