[Expression of Ki-67 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and its clinical significance]

To investigate the expression of nuclear antigen Ki-67 in CLL patients and realationship of Ki-67 expression with other clinical parameters.

Twenty-Six confirmed cases of CLL were analysised retrospectively. The immhnohistochemical method was carried out to examine the expression of Ki-67 in bone marrow cells, the flow cytometer was used to detect ZAP70 (Zeta chain-associated protein), CD38 and other markers, additionally, a panel of probes RB1 (13q14), ATM (11q22.3), P53 (17p13.1) and CSP12 (+12) FISH were perfomed to detect the cytogenetic abnormalities.

Out of 26 patients, 15 cases (57.7%) showed positive expression of Ki-67, 11 cases (42.3%) showed negative expression of Ki-67, the average rate of Ki-67 positive expression was (10.86±7.36)%. The level of Ki-67 did not relate with sex, age, Hb, platelet, ZAP70, ATM. β2-MG, IgHV and P53, but related to the Rai staging (P=0.01, r=0.517), CD38 (P=0.02, r=0.469), 13q14 (P=0.021, r=-0.48), and there was statistically significant difference (P<0.05).

The Ki-67 level is higher in progressive stage of CLL and the Ki-67 expression is related with Rai staging, CD38, 13q14. The expression level of Ki-67 may be used as indicator for evaluation of CLL prognosis and guiding treatment for this disease.