title: Identifying the stage of new CLL patients using TK, ZAP-70, CD38 levels.
abstract: Serum thymidine kinase (TK), zeta-associated protein of 70 kDa (ZAP-70) and CD38 levels have been shown to be correlated with survival in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the possible correlations between TK, ZAP-70 and CD38 levels as prognostic markers in new diagnosed Rai stages of CLL patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  120 CLL patients were enrolled. ELISA was used to measure serum TK level, flow cytomerty - to determine ZAP-70 and CD38 expression applying ZAP-70 Kit and monoclonal antibody to CD38, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly higher levels of TK were found in the high progression group of CLL patients that corresponded to stage II (Rai classification). An elevated level of TK, CD38 and ZAP-70 together was also found in the II stage. The coefficient of correlation between CD38 and ZAP-70 is reliable (p < 0.001). There is also a correlation between the level of TK and the disease stage (p < 0.05). Other parameters do not show this correlation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The determination of TK, ZAP-70 and CD38 together allows patients susceptible to a possible stage of the disease, to be identified. Estimation of the factors at an early stage of the disease may allow an earlier commencement of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Internal Diseases Department, Riga Stradins University, Riga LV1039, Latvia. ahema@apollo.lv
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rivkina
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vitols
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murovska
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lejniece
mesh_terms: D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000097:blood*; D051746:ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D013937:Thymidine Kinase; D051746:ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase; C497261:ZAP70 protein, human; C498154:CD38 protein, human; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1