Zap-70 and CD38 as predictors of IgVH mutation in CLL

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(The FASEB Journal. 2007;21:554.13)

Zap-70 and CD38 as predictors of IgVH mutation in CLL

Julius M. Cruse, E. , M. , Jeanann L. Suggs and

N. Webb

Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street,

, MS, 39216

ABSTRACT

Zeta-chain (TCR) associated protein kinase 70kDa (Zap-70) and CD38 expression

may be of prognostic significance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Previous studies indicate that Zap-70 and CD38 are usually positive in cases of

CLL with unmutated immunoglobulin variable region genes (IgVH) and may be used

to predict IgVH mutation status and prognosis. Usually cases of CLL positive for

Zap-70 or CD38 indicate a worse prognosis. In the present investigation, 42

cases of CLL were evaluated for CD38 expression, and 13 cases were evaluated for

Zap-70 and CD38 expression. Of the 42 cases, 17 (40.5%) positively expressed

CD38. Of the 13 cases evaluated for Zap-70, 10 (76.9%) were positive for Zap-70,

while only 4 (30.8%) were positive for CD38 expression; the remaining cases were

negative for CD38. The results of this study show that Zap-70 expression may be

a better indicator of the mutational status of IgVH and prognosis of CLL than

CD38 expression. In addition, these data reveal that CD38 negativity does not

necessarily indicate that IgVH mutation has occurred. CD38 signaling is mediated

by a pathway requiring BCRs or TCRs, and Zap-70 mediates T-cell signaling; this

relationship may account for variations in Zap-70 and CD38 positivity. These

data point to the need for a more extensive study to evaluate the significance

of Zap-70 and CD38 expression as indicators of IgVH mutation status and

prognosis of CLL patients.