Study of CD24 in Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia Patients: Relation to Disease Characteristics

Background: In the adult population, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the leading form of leukemia. Over the past decade, the treatment paradigm has shifted dramatically with the adoption of potent targeted therapies. Markers like CD38, ZAP-70, and cytogenetic/molecular changes serve as important prognostic indicators. CD24, a maturation‑linked B‑cell marker, may also intersect with apoptotic signaling. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate CD24 expression in de novo CLL and examine its relationship with key disease characteristics.
Materials and methods: We quantified CD24 by flow cytometry in peripheral blood obtained from 60 newly diagnosed CLL cases and 30 age‑ and sex‑matched healthy controls at the Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, and Tanta University Hospitals (Egypt).
Results: CD24 expression was found to be significantly higher in CLL than in controls and was enriched among patients meeting criteria for therapy. CD24 correlated positively with established prognostic markers. Conclusion: CD24 showed promise as an independent prognostic indicator in untreated CLL and may help anticipate disease progression.