[Characteristics and clinical significance of immunophenotype in chronic lymphocytic leukemia].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the characteristics of immunophenotype of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and to evaluate the prognosis of CLL by using the indexs of the characteristics of immunophenotype combined with serum LDH and beta2-MG levels.

METHODS

The immunophenotype of 15 CLL, 12 AML, 11 ALL, and 1 FCL (follicular cell lymphoma) patients were analyzed by the indirect immunofluorescent assay. The serum LDH and beta2-MG were detected in 13 CLL patients by the rate nephelometry.

RESULTS

The mean age of episode for CLL was 62.9 years and the ratio of male to female was 4:1 in the CLL group. The immune markers (CD5, CD19, and CD20) were positive in the 15 CLL, and negative in the 11 ALL and the 12 AML. The expression of CD23 was positive in 12 of the 15 CLL and negative in the 11 ALL and 12 AML. The expression of CD38 was positive in the 15 CLL. The immunophenotype of 1 FCL was CD10+, CD19+, CD20+, CD5- and CD23-. The serum beta2-MG and LDH levels in 9 CLL patients at Stage Binet C were significantly higher than those in 3 CLL patients at Stage Binet A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CD19+, CD20+ and CD5+ are specific assembly of immunophenotype in B-CLL and contribute to the diagnosis of CLL. The clinical stage of CLL patients of CD23- belongs to Stage Binet C, indicating the poor prognosis. CD23 contributes to differentiate CLL from FCL. CD38+ as a prognostic marker of CLL is not specific. The levels of LDH and beta2-MG are useful indexes for evaluating the prognosis of CLL.