Myeloid-derived suppressor cells level and MUC1 expression in de novo acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia occurring in adults. It is an aggressive myeloid neoplasm with maturation arrest of myelopoiesis, leading to an accumulation of myeloblasts in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. Objective: To evaluate alterations in myeloid-derived suppressor cells level and MUC1 gene expression in patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia concerning disease characteristics and response to induction chemotherapy. Patients and methods: The study was performed on 50 AML patients and 50 healthy controls. Detection of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in peripheral blood was performed by mononuclear separation and flow cytometry. MUC1 gene expression was performed by RNA extraction, reverse transcription, and real-time PCR at Hematology Department Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University. Results: We have demonstrated that AML patients had both increased presence of MDSCs in peripheral blood as well as MUC1 overexpression in comparison to normal controls. MDSCs showed a significant correlation regarding response to induction chemotherapy on day 28. While MDSCs and not MUC1 are associated with inferior response to induction chemotherapy on day 28. Conclusion: The current data suggested that AML patients exhibit an increased presence of MDSCs as well as MUC1 gene overexpression in comparison with normal controls. While MDSCs showed a significant correlation regarding response to induction chemotherapy on day 28, MDSCs and not MUC1 are associated with inferior response to induction chemotherapy on the same day.