Delineation of clinical and biological factors associated with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma among patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract

Background: The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is significantly higher compared with age- and sex-matched controls.

Objective: To evaluate the association of factors associated with SCC risk.

Methods: Clinical CLL and SCC data were obtained from Mayo Clinic CLL Resource and self-reported questionnaires among patients with newly diagnosed CLL. We computed the CLL International Prognostic Index (CLL-IPI) from CLL prognostic factors, and a polygenic risk score from SCC susceptibility variants. We used Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: Among 1269 patients with CLL, the median follow-up was 7 years, and SCC subsequently developed in 124 patients. Significant associations with SCC risk were history of skin cancer (HR=4.80; 95% CI: 3.37-6.83), CLL-IPI (HR=1.42; 95% CI: 1.13-1.80), and polygenic risk score (HR=2.58; 95% CI: 1.50-4.43). In a multivariable model, these factors were independent predictors (C statistic = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.62-0.76). T-cell immunosuppressive treatments were also associated with SCC risk (HR=2.29; 95% CI: 1.47-3.55; adjusted for age, sex, and prior SCC).

Limitations: The sample size decreases when combining all risk factors in a single model.

Conclusion: SCC risk includes history of skin cancer, an aggressive disease at time of CLL diagnosis, receiving T-cell immunosuppressive treatments, and high polygenic risk score. Future studies should develop prediction models that include these factors to improved screening guidelines.

Keywords: chronic lymphocytic leukemia; cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.