Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of childhood malignancy. It is characterized by uncontrolled clonal proliferation of lymphoid blasts with reduced capacity to differentiate into mature cells. The CD82, an adhesion molecule, performs an important role in the interaction between Leukemic stem cells (LSCs) and their niche. It is aberrantly expressed in CD34+CD38- acute myelogenous leukemia cells. However, little is known regarding its expression and roles in pediatric ALL patients and its clinical characteristics.
Aim of the work: To assess CD82 expression in patients with pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and to evaluate the association with the clinical data.
Patients and Methods: This study included a total of 35 pediatric ALL patients and 35 age-matched normal children. Using flow cytometric assessment CD82 expression levels were measured in peripheral blood samples and bone marrow. Patients were recruited from Pediatric Oncology Unit, Ain-Shams University Hospitals, blood samples and bone marrow were collected from all patients. Diagnostic workup of ALL was done for all patients including: 1-Complete blood picture 2-Leishamn stained peripheral blood and bone marrow smears 3- flowcytometric immunophenotyping.
Results: Flow cytometry expression showed a statistically significant difference between ALL patients and controls. The intensity of CD82 expression by flow cytometry in dim and bright expression showed a statistically significant difference between ALL patients and controls
Conclusion: A significantly higher expression of CD82 was detected in pediatric ALL patients compared to matching controls indicating that CD82 may play an important role in the diagnosis of pediatric ALL