Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy diagnosed in patients younger than 15 years, accounting for 76% of all leukemias in this age group. It accounts for only 20% of adult acute leukemias. The B7-family molecule CD86 is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein expressed on the surface of antigen presenting cells (APCs). Cell surface expression of CD86 provides an important co-stimulatory signal that profoundly influences immune responses. Optimal T-cell activation needs costimulatory signals via the interaction between costimulatory molecule CD28 on T lymphocytes and its ligands the B7-family molecules B7.2 (CD86) on APCs. Activation and differentiation of T lymphocytes plays an important role in mediating the pathogenesis of ALL. Objective: This study aims to assess the expression of CD86 in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients and correlate its expression with the clinical, hematological findings and response to therapy.
Subjects and methods: CD86 was measured in 35 newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemic patients and 20 age and sex matched healthy controls.
Results: A significant statistical difference between CD86 expression levels in patients versus controls was determined. There was a high statistically significant association between CD86 expression and poor outcome. Conclusion: High CD86% and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) expression appears to be a powerful prognostic indicator of unfavorable outcome in ALL. Analysis of CD86 percentage and MFI expression in addition to other standard prognostic markers at diagnosis may contribute to improve the management of ALL patients.