Impact of CD39 expression on CD4+ T lymphocytes and 6q deletion on outcome of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

• Main Authors: Eman Mosaad Zaki, Asmaa Mohamed Zahran, Alshimaa Abdelazeem Metwaly, Rania Hafez, Safinaz Hussein, Abdallah Elaiw Mohammed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-03-01
• Series: Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Therapy
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658387618300943

Objective/Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is one of the commonest leukemias affecting adults. CD39 inhibits T-cell and Natural killer (NK) cell responses by hydrolyzing adenosine triphosphate and adenosine diphosphate, suppressing the immune system. We investigated expression of CD39 on CD4+ T Lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients and its relationship with deletion 6q, its association with disease stage and survival. Methods: Thirty CLL patients and 20 matched controls were included in the study. Bone marrow studies with immunophenotyping, CD39, CD38, and ZAP-70, and detection of del 6q by FISH were performed. Results: CD39+ CD4+ T helper cells in CLL patients were significantly expressed compared with the controls (p < .001). Levels of CD39+ CD4+ T cells were significantly expressed in high risk CLL patients. Del 6q was detected in 63.3% of patients and it correlated with CD39, CD38, and ZAP-70, and advanced stage disease. There was a significant relation between response to treatment and CD39 expression and del 6q, also there was a significant difference in overall survival (OS) between patients with and without Del 6q. Conclusion: CD39 expression on CD4+ Tcells and del 6q act as prognostic markers in CLL. Blocking or inhibition of CD39 may be a target for new immune therapy for CLL. Keywords: 6q-, CD4, CD39, CLL, T cell