Significance of zeta-associated protein (ZAP-70) and CD38 expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease with a highly variable clinical course; some patients never need treatment, while others require intensive treatment early after diagnosis. Some new prognostic factors, such as immunoglobulin variable heavy chain (IgVH) mutational status, zeta-associated protein (ZAP-70) and CD38 expression in leukemic cells were introduced to identify attenuated versus progressive types of CLL bearing the potential to facilitate risk-adapted treatment strategies. So, the aim of this work is to evaluate the clinical value of ZAP-70 and CD38 as predictors of disease progression.