Antigens and circulating immune complexes related to the primate retroviral glycoprotein SiSVgp70: Indicators of early mortality in human acute leukemias and chronic myelogenous leukemias in blast crisis

Abstract

Human sera contain antigens and also circulating immune complexes that are related to the primate retroviral envelope glycoprotein gp70 of simian sarcoma/simian sarcoma associated virus (SiSV) and of gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV). SiSVgp70 related antigens (AG) and immune complexes (IC) are detected both in leukemic and in nonleukemic sera.23 In a further analysis of these data, the prognostic significance of SiSVgp70 related AG and IC indicates an unfavorable clinical course and a shorter survival time in acute leukemias (AL) and in chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis (CML‐BC). Survival data of 56 of 64 patients tested were analyzed (38 patients with AL and 18 patients with CML‐BC). Patients with AL whose sera were positive for SiSVgp70 realted AG and IC had a median survival time of 9.5 months after diagnosis versus 16 months for patients negative for such AG and IC. This difference in survival time was more pronounced for patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) (6.5 versus 19 months). The difference in survival between SiSVgp70 related AG‐ and IC‐negative and positive groups as tested by life table analysis (log‐rank test) is significant (P < 0.05). Patients with AL of the AG‐ and/or IC‐positive group had fewer complete remissions. Patients who had no remissions belong to the AG‐ and/or IC‐positive group (P = 0.06). Patients with CML‐BC whose sera were positive for SiSVgp70 related AG and/or IC had a median survival time of 2 months after diagnosis versus 7 months for patients with sera negative for such AG and IC. As tested by long‐rank test, survival curves between the two groups are significantly different (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that SiSVgp70 related AG and IC may play an important role in the course of acute leukemia and can provide useful prognostic information.

Human endogenous retroviruses: nature, occurrence, and clinical implications in human disease.

“…The evidence for the occurrence of HERV antigens in human blood is well documented. We discussed above the find-ings of Jacquemin et al (80), Hehlmann and his coworkers (66)(67)(68), and Derks et al (42). In some instances, the molecular nature of the antigens was determined.…”

Human endogenous retroviruses: nature, occurrence, and clinical implications in human disease

“…The evidence for the occurrence of HERV antigens in human blood is well documented. We discussed above the find-ings of Jacquemin et al (80), Hehlmann and his coworkers (66)(67)(68), and Derks et al (42). In some instances, the molecular nature of the antigens was determined.…”

“…Again, no formal proof linking such activities to HERV expression was obtained. The very interesting study by Hehlmann and his associates (67) reported that sera from leukemic patients (mostly some form of myelomonocytic leukemia) contained antigens and immune complexes related to gp70 of SSV and gibbon ape leukemia virus. Some nonleukemic sera also contained such complexes.…”

“…The 30,000-M r protein described by Hehlmann et al (68) cross-reacted with p30 core proteins of SSV and BaEV. Hehlmann et al (67) reported that sera from leukemia patients contained antigens (or immune complexes) related to gp70 of SSV and gibbon ape leukemia virus. We do not understand why such antigens were found principally in patients with some form of myelomonocytic leukemia, nor do we understand their origin.…”