CD38 expression is an important prognostic marker in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
Employing a multicolour flow cytometry assay, 133 B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) cases were analysed for surface expression of CD38. Based on a cut-off value of 20%, CLL patients were categorised into a CD38-positive (> or = 20%, n = 56) and a CD38-negative subgroup (< 20%, n = 77) and separately analysed for clinical and laboratory parameters. Patients in the CD38-positive cohort were characterised by an unfavourable clinical course with a more advanced disease stage, poor responsiveness to chemotherapy, short time to initiation of first treatment and shorter survival. In contrast, the CD38- negative group required minimal or no treatment, remained treatment-free for a longer time period and had prolonged survival (P < 0.05). CD38 expression was a robust marker in the majority of patients in that it was stable over time and not significantly influenced by chemotherapy. In conclusion, our data confirm recent studies suggesting a role of CD38 as a predictor of clinical outcome in patients with B-CLL.
Dürig
J
J
Department of Haematology, Medical Faculty, University of Essen, Essen, Germany.
Naschar
M
M
Schmücker
U
U
Renzing-Köhler
K
K
Hölter
T
T
Hüttmann
A
A
Dührsen
U
U
D036541:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009244:NAD+ Nucleosidase / Q000032:analysis*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D010976:Platelet Count; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D036541:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase; C498154:CD38 protein, human; D009244:NAD+ Nucleosidase; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1