الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract The prognostic relevance of assessment of Bcl2 and Fas expression in acute leukemia patients at diagnosis remains controversial despite extensive studies. The aim of this study is to determine the levels of Bcl2 and Fas expression by leukemic blast cells and to correlate this expression to the clinical and laboratory prognostic parameters as well as patient out come. Forty newely diagnosed acute leukemia patients (16 ALL, 24 AML) were included in this study. Ten normal subjects of matched age and sex were taken as a reference control group. BCL2 and Fas expressions were assayed before start of therapy and after one year follow up using flow cytometry. The degree of Bcl2 and Fas expressions were significantly elevated in acute leukemia group compared to the control group (P<0.05 and P<0.05 respectively). In ALL group the patients responding to induction therapy revealed lower BCL2 and Fas patients compared to non responders (p<0.05 and p<0.05 respectively). In contrast, the difference between responders and non responders among AML group regarding Bcl2 and Fas expressions were not statistically significant (P > 0.05 and p > 0.05 respectively). Bcl2 expression was significantly elevated in relapsed acute leukemia group (ALL and AML) compared to remission ones (P<0.05 and p<0.05 respectively). On the other hand, Fas expression was significantly elevated in relapsed ALL group but not in relapsed AML group compared to remission ones (p > 0.05 and p > 0.05 respectively). Moreover, both BCL2 and Fas expressions were not significantly differ in non survivors compared to those levels in survived group (P > 0.05 and P > 0.05 respectively). Furthermore, BCl2 and Fas expression were not significantly correlated with age, sex, WBC count, B.M. blasts, immunophenotyping and FAB subtypes. In conclusion: (1) Assessment of Bcl2 and Fas expressions at diagnosis: can predict the response to induction chemotherapy in ALL group only; however can not predict the acute leukemia patients outcome. (2) Assessment of Bcl2 and Fas expression during the course of disease are correlated with disease activity |