Expression of CTBP2 and CASP8AP2 in Childhood B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

Background
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a heterogeneous cancer marked by rapid growth of immature lymphoid cells in the bloodstream, bone marrow, and other body tissues.


Objective
To suggest the role of different genetic variables in the pathogenesis and clinical behavior of ALL patients, the present study aims to assess the possible prognostic impact of CTBP2 and CASP8AP2 in pediatric B-ALL patients.


Patients and Methods
This study included 43 individuals who were recently diagnosed with B-ALL, a type of leukemia, and 20 healthy individuals who were matched in terms of age and sex. Molecular testing was conducted to detect the expression of CTBP2 and CASP8AP2 genes, and the analysis was carried out using real-time PCR.


Results
The control group’s median gene expression was significantly lower compared with the B-ALL patients (P<0.001). Outcome analysis based on the level of CTBP2 gene expression shows a higher incidence of overall survival in the high expression of CTBP2 group of patients (15 months) than in the low expression group (14 months). The median of CASP8AP2 gene expression level for the B-ALL patient group was significantly higher than the median of control group gene expression (P<0.001). Also, CASP8AP2 gene expression shows a higher incidence of overall survival in the high expression of the CASP8AP2 group of patients (16 months) than in the low expression group (11.5 months).


Conclusion
CTBP2 and CASP8AP2 gene expression was higher in the studied B-ALL patient group compared with the control group. A low expression of CASP8AP2 correlated with poor outcome and decreased disease-free survival in studied B-ALL patients.