Background: Various cancer cells share critical physiologic changes that promote malignant development. Progranulin [PGRN], a growth factor, has major biological impact on several cancer types.
Aim of the work: To measure levels of progranulin in the serum of adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia [AML] before and after treatment. Next, to correlate their serum levels to prognosis.
Patients and Methods: Our prospective observational study was conducted on 40 adult patients with AML recruited from Clinical Hematology and Oncology hospital in Maadi Military Complex before and after chemotherapy treatment during six months. 15 adult healthy people with comparable age and sex were subjected as a control group. The patients received conventional chemo-therapy protocols according to NCCN guidelines for AML treatment. Either routine laboratory investigations or disease-specific labs were performed. Progranulin level in serum was assessed using ELISA.
Results: Serum Progranulin levels are significantly higher for AML patients than control group. There is statistically insignificant difference of serum Progranulin levels after chemotherapy treatment compared to its level at diagnosis among AML patients.
Conclusion: Our investigation has led us to the conclusion that adult AML patients have elevated PGRN levels, which may be related to the tumor burden in these individuals.