Comparison between LDH with Zap-70 and CD38 as prognostic Markers in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Sudanese patients - A Pilot Study in Khartoum State

Background:  Several prognostic markers are used in clinical stages of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL); including lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (LDH), CD38 and Zeta associated protein kinase (ZAP70). This study aimed to compare LDH with ZAP70 and CD38 as prognostic markers in Sudanese patients with CLL. Materials and Methods: Fifty newly diagnosed patients with CLL were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, the age of patients ranged between 36 - 85 years, with mean of 62 years. Of total patients; there were 34 males (68%) and 16 females (32%). Blood samples were obtained and LDH measurement was done by using Dirui CS-T240 automated analyzer while CD38 and ZAP-70 were measured by flowcytometry. Data were analyzed by statistical package for social science (SPSS) computer software program version 21. Results: The present study revealed a significant association between LDH and Rai staging (p. value= 0.002), when LDH compared with ZA-70 and CD38 as reference prognostic markers; poor correlation between CD38 and LDH was found (R2= 0.086, P value= 0.034) and no correlation between LDH level and ZAP-70 expression (R2= 000, P value= 0.960). In conclusion: According to the outcomes of this study; ZAP-70 and CD38 cannot be substituted by LDH as a prognostic marker.