Quantitative Analysis of CD38 in B-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders

摘要

Background: CD38 is a surface glycoprotein extensively applied to distinguish B-cell chronic disorders. The objective of this study is to analyse the value of CD38 expression in the diagnosis and differentiation of typical CLL, atypical CLL and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Methods: 15 patients with CD38+ B-CLL and 11 patients with MCL were referred to our Department during last year. Lymphocyte morphology was assessed according to FAB criteria and interphase"FISH studies were performed. Flow cytometry was used to analyse the CD38 expression. Results: CD38 expression data were available in 9 out of 10 evaluable MCL patients and in all 14 evaluable CD38+ B-CLL patients, respectively. The percentage of CD38+ cells was significantly higher in MCL patients when compared with CD38+ B-CLL patients (p= 0.023).Conclusions: From the diagnostic point of view strong CD38+ in MLC demonstrated in our study. Therefore, measurement of CD38 expression by flow cytometry could become a routine test in the evaluation of patients with B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders.