Impact of CD105 Flow-Cytometric Expression on Childhood B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

Background

CD105 (Endoglin) is a receptor of the transforming growth factor-Beta (TGF- β) superfamily. It is expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells and is considered a powerful marker of angiogenesis and a potential main player in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases as well as tumor progression. CD105 expression was correlated with poor prognosis in many types of solid malignancies, however, its influence on hematological neoplasms is still an area of interest.

Purpose

To assess the flow-cytometric expression of CD105 in childhood B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and its relation to disease response after the induction chemotherapy.

Subjects and Methods

Eighty children newly diagnosed with B-ALL were screened for flow-cytometric expression of CD105 at time of diagnosis, then they were followed up to detect their response to induction therapy.

Results

CD105 was expressed in 41.2% of B-ALL patients. Higher expression of CD105 was observed in high and very high-risk groups. The multivariate analysis considered CD105 positivity as an independent prognostic marker for response to induction therapy. Values higher than 2.5 Specific fluorescence indices (SFIs) and 35% expression were sensitive predictors to induction failure.

Conclusion

CD105 can be considered as a potential prognostic marker for the detection of response to induction therapy in childhood B-ALL, and it can serve to optimize treatment decisions.

Keywords:

• B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• endoglin
• CD105

Data Sharing Statement

Data can be provided on request.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

The study was approved by the local ethical committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University. Institutional Review Board (IRB) for human studies (Approval Code 34107/9/20). Our study conforms to provisions of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed written consent was obtained from one of the parents or the legal guardian accompanying the child. All personal data were kept confidential and only scientific data are available for publication.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank cordially and express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the team of Pediatric Oncology Unit, Tanta Cancer Institute for their cooperation, support, and follow-up of cases.

Author Contributions

All authors made essential contributions to study design, analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article and revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.