The Clinical Relevance Of Residual, Persistent And Elongated Abnormal Sized Nodes By Longest Diameter (Ldi) In Patients (Pts) With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (Cll), Otherwise In A Complete Remission (Cr)

Background: IWCLL 2008 and 2018 criteria require that all lymph nodes/nodal masses be ≤ 15mm in longest diameter (LDi) to be consistent with a CR. Lymph nodes or nodal masses >15mm in the LDi are considered abnormal. However, it has been observed that some bulky nodes may become thin and streak-like on follow-up timepoints (Figure 1) and may be normal by clinical and imaging standards (<10mm in short axis diameter) (Cheson et al Journal of Clinical Oncology, 17:1244, 1999) however, they continue to be >15mm in LDi (LDi Positive nodes- LDi+) and, hence, categorized as abnormal per iwCLL criteria. In lymphoma studies, FDG-PET negativity is the driver of CR, and residual disease on CT scan is allowed for CR. However, in the iwCLL response assessment, LDi+ nodes may prevent a true CR.