International Journal of Hematology and Oncology
2025, Vol 35, Num 1 Page(s): 051-059
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Investigation of Potential Prognostic Biomarkers in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Sebnem YANIK PEHLIVANOGLU1,2, Irem COSKUNTAN1,2, Burcu SALMAN YAYLAZ1, Funda TAYFUN KUPESIZ3, Sibel BERKER KARAUZUM4, Suray PEHLIVANOGLU5, Sema SIRMA EKMEKCI1, Neslihan ABACI1
1Istanbul University, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Genetics
2Istanbul University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Genetics
3Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology
4Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Science, Medical Department of Biology
5Necmettin Erbakan University, Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
Keywords: Pediatric ALL, RANTES, PDGFR-β, Prognosis, Biomarker
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of childhood cancer and identifying prognostic biomarkers for pediatric ALL is critical for improving outcomes. In this study, we aimed to investigate CXCR4, PDGFR-β, RANTES, TWIST1, and VEGFR2 genes as candidate prognostic biomarkers associated with pediatric ALL immunophenotypes. Bone marrow and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 46 pediatric ALL patients and healthy controls were collected. The expression of CXCR4, PDGFR-β, RANTES, TWIST1, and VEGFR2 genes, considered candidate prognostic biomarkers, was analysed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RANTES expression was upregulated in pre-B-ALL, pro-B-ALL, and T-ALL patients compared to healthy controls (p= 0.015). The expression of all targeted genes, except CXCR4, was elevated in patients with trisomies of chromosomes 1, 6, 8, 12, 17, 21, and 22 (p< 0.05). Increased CXCR4 and RANTES expression was observed in patients with the t(9;22) translocation (p= 0.039, p= 0.017, respectively). High PDGFR-β and RANTES expression was associated with prolonged remission duration (p= 0.007, p= 0.015, respectively). Additionally, CXCR4 expression was highest in the high risk (HR) group (p= 0.039). The results of this study indicate that RANTES and PDGFR-β may be potential prognostic biomarkers in pediatric ALL in the presence of common clinical features. Monitoring RANTES and PDGFR-β expressions could be a novel approach for determining and managing prognosis in pediatric ALL. The main limitation of the study is the collection of healthy bone marrow samples due to ethical concerns, which may require confirmation of our findings in larger cohorts.
Sebnem YANIK PEHLIVANOGLU1,2, Irem COSKUNTAN1,2, Burcu SALMAN YAYLAZ1, Funda TAYFUN KUPESIZ3, Sibel BERKER KARAUZUM4, Suray PEHLIVANOGLU5, Sema SIRMA EKMEKCI1, Neslihan ABACI1
1Istanbul University, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Genetics
2Istanbul University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Genetics
3Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology
4Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Science, Medical Department of Biology
5Necmettin Erbakan University, Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
Keywords: Pediatric ALL, RANTES, PDGFR-β, Prognosis, Biomarker
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of childhood cancer and identifying prognostic biomarkers for pediatric ALL is critical for improving outcomes. In this study, we aimed to investigate CXCR4, PDGFR-β, RANTES, TWIST1, and VEGFR2 genes as candidate prognostic biomarkers associated with pediatric ALL immunophenotypes. Bone marrow and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 46 pediatric ALL patients and healthy controls were collected. The expression of CXCR4, PDGFR-β, RANTES, TWIST1, and VEGFR2 genes, considered candidate prognostic biomarkers, was analysed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RANTES expression was upregulated in pre-B-ALL, pro-B-ALL, and T-ALL patients compared to healthy controls (p= 0.015). The expression of all targeted genes, except CXCR4, was elevated in patients with trisomies of chromosomes 1, 6, 8, 12, 17, 21, and 22 (p< 0.05). Increased CXCR4 and RANTES expression was observed in patients with the t(9;22) translocation (p= 0.039, p= 0.017, respectively). High PDGFR-β and RANTES expression was associated with prolonged remission duration (p= 0.007, p= 0.015, respectively). Additionally, CXCR4 expression was highest in the high risk (HR) group (p= 0.039). The results of this study indicate that RANTES and PDGFR-β may be potential prognostic biomarkers in pediatric ALL in the presence of common clinical features. Monitoring RANTES and PDGFR-β expressions could be a novel approach for determining and managing prognosis in pediatric ALL. The main limitation of the study is the collection of healthy bone marrow samples due to ethical concerns, which may require confirmation of our findings in larger cohorts.
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