Evaluation of the CLL-IPI and IPS-E Prognostic Indices in a Young Middle Eastern Population with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Retrospective Analysis at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center

INTRODUCTION: The Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia International Prognostic Index (CLL-IPI) is a powerful prognostic tool validated in multiple Western populations. However, its utility in the young Middle Eastern population is unknown. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 152 unselected patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) diagnosed between 2008 and 2022 at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center, which serves as the sole cancer center in Kuwait. The evaluation of the CLL-IPI was based on the assessment of event-free survival (EFS) across the entire cohort. Subsequently, we compared the CLL-IPI with the International Prognostic Score for Early-stage patients (IPS-E) in order to predict the time to first treatment specifically within the subgroup of patients diagnosed with early-stage disease. RESULTS: The median age of the study cohort was 59.9 years (IQR, 53.1–68.8). The 5-year EFS rates for the low, intermediate, and high/very high-risk categories were approximately 82%, 34%, and 23%, respectively, p < 0.001 (C-statistic = 0.67). On multivariate analysis, advanced stage and unmated IGHV status were independent prognostic factors of EFS. In those with early-stage disease, cumulative 5-year treatment incidence rates for the low, intermediate, and high/very high-risk categories based on the CLL-IPI score were approximately 8%, 55%, and 55%, respectively, p = 0.001 (C-statistic = 0.70). However, based on the IPS-E score, the cumulative 5-year treatment incidence rates for the low, intermediate, and high-risk categories were approximately 0%, 10%, and 60%, respectively, p < 0.001 (C-statistic = 0.73). CONCLUSIONS: The CLL-IPI and the IPS-E are valid stratification tool in our young Middle Eastern population.