Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic methods and kits for diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) by determining expression levels of isoforms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) associated with CLL, particularly, PDE7B and/or PDE3B, and a ratio of mRNA expression of PDE7B to PDE3B. The present invention provides that CLL lymphocytes uniformly expressed high levels of PDE7B and low levels of PDE3B relative to those of normal lymphocytes. A method of treatment and a pharmaceutical composition for CLL comprising one or more therapeutic agents capable of modulating expression or activity levels of isoforms of PDEs associated with CLL, and/or reversing the ratio of PDE7B/PDE3B mRNA expression levels are also provided.

Abstract: A molecular classification procedure based on activity levels of modules in protein networks, wherein the proteins are biomarkers for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and method for use of the subnetworks to distinguish between patients at low or high risk of progression of their disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic methods and kits for diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) by determining expression levels of isoforms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) associated with CLL, particularly, PDE7B and/or PDE3B, and a ratio of mRNA expression of PDE7B to PDE3B. The present invention provides that CLL lymphocytes uniformly expressed high levels of PDE7B and low levels of PDE3B relative to those of normal lymphocytes. A method of treatment and a pharmaceutical composition for CLL comprising one or more therapeutic agents capable of modulating expression or activity levels of isoforms of PDEs associated with CLL, and/or reversing the ratio of PDE7B/PDE3B mRNA expression levels are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic methods and kits for diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) by determining expression levels of isoforms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) associated with CLL particularly, PDE7B and/or PDE3B, and a ratio of mRNA expression of PDE7B to PDE3B. The present invention provides that CLL lymphocytes uniformly expressed high levels of PDE7B and low levels of PDE3B relative to those of normal lymphocytes. A method of treatment and a pharmaceutical composition for CLL comprising one or more therapeutic agents capable of modulating expression or activity levels of isoforms of PDEs associated with CLL, and/or reversing the ratio of PDE7B/PDE3B mRNA expression levels are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic methods and kits for diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) by determining expression levels of isoforms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) associated with CLL particularly, PDE7B and/or PDE3B, and a ratio of mRNA expression of PDE7B to PDE3B. The present invention provides that CLL lymphocytes uniformly expressed high levels of PDE7B and low levels of PDE3B relative to those of normal lymphocytes. A method of treatment and a pharmaceutical composition for CLL comprising one or more therapeutic agents capable of modulating expression or activity levels of isoforms of PDEs associated with CLL, and/or reversing the ratio of PDE7B/PDE3B mRNA expression levels are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting a form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a subject are described which allow for distinguishing more aggressive forms of the disease from less aggressive forms. Particularly described methods include assaying a sample obtained from the subject having or suspected of having chronic lymphocytic leukemia for a marker selected from a vimentin cleavage product, annexin 5 and 6-phosphogluconolactonase. A combination of any of these markers may be assayed in particular embodiments of a method according to the present invention. In particular embodiments, detection of an intermediate weight vimentin cleavage product is indicative of a less aggressive form of CLL associated with good prognosis.