STUDY OF SERUM SOLUBLE c-KlT RECEPTOR IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE LEUKEMIA

Abstract

Acute leukemias identifiy a group of bone marrow based neoplasms which result from the replacement of normal marrow elements by malignant blasts (Messnar and Griffin, 1986).

Stem cell factor is a growth factor that promotes the survival, proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. SCF initiates its biological effects by binding to its receptor c-Kit (CD117). The proto­ oncogene c-Kit encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor known as stem cell factor receptor (Tajima et a!, 1998).

Cell surface c-Kit is proteolytically cleaved to generate soluble c-Kit known as soluble kit (s-Kit). s-Kit receptor binds both soluble and cell surface SCF, thereby leaving less ligand available for binding to cell surface receptor, so s-Kit receptor can act as a receptor antagonist (Turner et a!, 1995). s-Kit levels correlate to distinct subtypes of FAB classification and reflect the pathological state of AML (Kawakita et a!, 1995). Furthermore, c-Kit is especially useful in the differential diagnosis of AML and ALL (Nomdedeu eta!, 1999).

The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical role of serum s-Kit receptor as a differentiating marker between AML and ALL and its role in the differentiation of AML subgroups.

The present study was carried out on 73 patients newly diagnosed as acute leukemia including AML and ALL. The study also included 10 apparently healthy individuals of matched age and sex were used as control subjects.