Prognostic Significance of HLA-DR Expression in Sudanese Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Abstract

Background: The clinical course of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is heterogeneous, The Rai and Binet clinical staging systems are used to predict survival. An evaluation of prognostic factors at the time of diagnosis can guide the timing and strategy of treatment.

Aim: To evaluate the prognostic significance of HLA-DR in patient with CLL.

Method:  Thirty-five (27 male/ 8 female) newly diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were analyzed using flow cytometry and finding were correlated with the clinical course of the disease.

Results: The mean of HLA-DR expression on subject were (38.1 ± 8.2) compared (79.1 ± 6.8) which was the mean of 35 normal volunteers tested at the same period of time. Analysis of the data revealed that the decrease of HLA-DR expression observed in stage 0 to IV was statistically significant (P.value < 0.00).

Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the low HLA-DR expression correlate with stage III and IV Rai classification that indicate this parameter may play role in prognosis of disease.