Novel immunophenotyping marker in acute myeloid leukemia: does it implicate prognosis?

Introduction AML is a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that affect hematopoietic cells responsible for the production of myeloid lineages in bone marrow (BM). Novel immunophenotyping marker in AML (CD30) is a 120 kDa cell membrane glycoprotein that shares sequence homology with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors; it is expressed by myeloblasts (CD34+ and/or CD117+) in a substantial number of cases of non Monocytic AML, either de novo or arising from MDS. CD30 expression is more common in AML patients with unfavorable chromosomal abnormality. It is suggested that CD30 could be a target for therapy by using anti-CD30 antibodies in a subset of patients with non Monocytic AML; also it might provide useful information for patient prognosis and stage of disease.Aim of work Is to assess novel immunophenotyping marker in AML (CD30) and cytogenetic abnormality and its correlation with prognosis.Materials and methods This prospective cohort study included 120 patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia. Their ages ranged from (2 to 75) years with a mean of (40.15±23.55) years. Chromosomal analysis by karyotyping was done in all AML patients and Multicolor flow-cytometry immunophenotypic analysis was performed on bone marrow aspirates of the AML patients using fluroisothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated antibodies to assess CD30 expression on BM myeloblasts.Results The previous study showed that CD30 was expressed in all AML cases rather than M4 and M5 cases that showed negative expression. In addition, this study showed that there is more CD30 expression in myeloblasts with unfavorable chromosomal abnormalities. A significant association between platelets counts and CD30 expression was also observed. There was a higher degree of thrombocytopenia and a greater tendency to have higher leucocytic counts in patients having +ve CD30 expression than those with –ve CD30 expression.Conclusion The analysis of CD30 expression has a potential role to be used as a prognostic marker in AML.