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BALL Score for Relapsed/Refractory CLL

β2-microglobulin
Hemoglobin
LDH
Last Therapy
BALL Score:
points
Risk:

Calculation Formula

BALL Score: β2-microglobulin (mg/L) + Hemoglobin (g/dL) + LDH (U/L) + Last Therapy (months ago)

Explanation

The BALL Score evaluates the prognosis of patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) on targeted therapies.

Evidence

The BALL Score is based on four factors, each assigned 1 point:

  • β2-microglobulin ≥5 mg/L
  • Hemoglobin <12 g/dL for men; <11 g/dL for women
  • LDH > upper limit of normal
  • Time from initiation of last therapy <24 months

Higher combined scores are predictive of a greater likelihood of death within 24 months.

Facts & Figures

According to the BALL score:

  • 33 patients (27.5%) were classified as low-risk
  • 68 patients (56.7%) as intermediate-risk
  • 19 patients (15.8%) as high-risk

Stratification of patients according to the BALL score predicted significant differences in terms of overall survival (OS).

BALL Score Risk 24-Month Overall Survival
0-1 Low 89.7%
2-3 Intermediate 79.5%
4 High 55.8%

Literature

The BALL Score was proposed by Dr. Jacob D. Soumerai and colleagues in 2019. It has been validated in multiple studies and is used to predict overall survival in patients with relapsed/refractory CLL receiving targeted therapies.

References

Research Paper A Novel Prognostic Model for Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treated with Targeted Therapies Research Paper External Validation of a Novel Risk Model (BALL Score) in Real-World Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treated with Ibrutinib Research Paper Prognostic Impact of the BALL Score in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Research Paper Clinical Utility of the BALL Score in Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia