Prevalence of ZAP-70 and CD 38 in Indian chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common chronic lympho-proliferative disorder. This study was undertaken to know the prevalence of ZAP-70 and CD 38 in the treatment naive patients of CLL seen at a tertiary care centre of north India.

ZAP-70 and CD 38 were tested by flow cytometry on peripheral blood samples. ZAP-70 positive and CD 38 positivity was defined as positive expression on 20% and 30% of CLL cells, respectively. Clinico-hematological profile and its correlation with ZAP-70 and CD 38 were assessed in consecutive 80 CLL patients.

There were 64 males and median age of the group was 58 years. Sixteen patients (20%) were asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. Median total lymphocyte count (TLC) at presentation was 62 × 10 9 /L. Rai stage distribution was: Stage 0-6, stage I-20, stage II-36, stage III-5, and stage IV-13. ZAP-70 and CD 38 positivity were detected in 20 patients (25%) and 29 patients (36%), respectively. Eleven patients were positive and 34 were negative for both ZAP-70 and CD 38 yielding a concordance rate of 56%. There was no statistically significant difference between ZAP-70 and CD 38 positivity and negativity with regard to age, sex, Lymphocyte count, lymphadenopathy, organomegaly, and Rai staging.

ZAP-70 and CD 38 positivity were detected 25% and 36%, respectively, with concordance rate of 56%, which is higher than Western literature. There was no correlation of ZAP-70 and CD 38 positivity with age, sex, lymphadenopathy, organomegaly, and Rai staging.