ZAP-70 expression and Soluble CD14 level in patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is considered clonal neoplastic diseases defined by mature B or T lymphoid cells proliferation .Zeta chain associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP-70) expression is considered as a standard prognostic marker for selecting the appropriate management for CLL, moreover, Soluble form of cluster of differentiation 14 ( sCD14) act as an acute phase protein . Our aim was to evaluate ZAP-70 expression & sCD14 in patients with CLL and their correlation with hematological parameters, clinical staging and smudge cell number. Methods: This study was case control study carried upon sixty subjects; 30 of these subjects were recently diagnosed with CLL, and 30 were healthy individuals who served as controls matched age and sex, routine laboratory investigations (Complete blood count, CD5 and CD19, lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (LDH) , erythrocyte sedimentation rate, renal and liver function tests), bone marrow aspirate, percentage of expression of ZAP-70 and sCD14 level were assessed to all studied patients. Results: Showed that compared to controls, CLL patients had higher ZAP-70 percentage and sCD14 level . ZAP-70 and sCD14 level have statistically significant positive correlation with Rai , Binet classification of CLL and LDH . sCD14 level was significant positive correlated with ZAP-70 percentage. Moreover, the number of smudge cells was also negatively correlated with ZAP-70 and sCD14.Conclusion: Low percentage of ZAP-70, low concentration of sCD14 and high smudge cells percentage in peripheral blood films associated with early stages or low to moderate CLL and could be used as prognostic markers.