[Abnormal expression of WWP1 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and its clinical significance]

Objective: This study aims to investigate the expression of E3 ubiquitin-ligase (WWP1) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients and analyze its correlation with clinical prognostic indicators (TP53, CD38, IGHV mutation) and its prognostic value. Methods: A total of 48 CLL patients and 9 age-matched normal subjects were enrolled in the study. The WWP1 expression was detected by SYBR Green-based real-time PCR, and the clinical relationship was analyzed by GraphPad Prism software. Results: The WWP1 median expression was 0.007 (95% CI 0.005-0.010) in the normal control group and 0.031 (95% CI 0.019-0.044) in the CLL group (P<0.001) . A sub-groups analysis implicated a statistically significant result (P=0.022) , showing that the median time from a relatively high and low transcription level of WWP1 to the first treatment was 24 months and 35 months, respectively. Positive CD38 and ZAP-70 expressions were associated with a higher WWP1 expression (P=0.012 and 0.029, respectively) . Conclusion: An abnormal WWP1 mRNA expression was found in CLL patients with significant correlation with ZAP-70 and CD38 expressions, and WWP1 may become a new supplement of CLL prognostic markers.