[The percentage of regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients and the correlations with clinical prognosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the percentage of CD4(+);CD25(+);Foxp3(+); regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients and the correlations with clinical prognosis. METHODS: The study enrolled 30 healthy individuals and 28 CLL patients. The CD4(+);CD25(+); Treg and CD4(+);CD25(+);Foxp3(+); Treg were detected by the flow cytometry in their peripheral blood. Of the 28 CLL patients, 19 received treatment and follow-up. RESULTS: The number of CD4(+);CD25(+); Treg in the pre-treated cases (n = 28) was higher than that in the healthy controls (n = 30) with significant statistical difference (P < 0.05). The number of CD4(+);CD25(+);Foxp3(+); Treg was higher in the pre-treated cases (n = 28) than that in the treated cases (n = 19) and in the healthy controls (n = 30) (P < 0.05). Compared with the healthy controls, the treated cases (n = 19) had the higher level of CD4(+);CD25(+);Foxp3(+); Treg (P < 0.05). The CD4(+);CD25(+);Foxp3(+); Treg was positively correlated with the expressions of CD38, β2-microglobulin (β(2);-MG), zeta-associated protein 70(ZAP-70) and the clinical Binet and Rai stages. CONCLUSION: The CD4(+);CD25(+);Foxp3(+); Treg might be a valuable indicator for assessing the therapeutic efficacy, disease progression and prognosis of the CLL patients.