ABSTRACT
Cell cycle parameters as well as apoptotic and tumor markers directly control cell growth. DNA ploidy and S phase fraction, apoptosis fraction in addition to apoptotic inducer [p53, c-myc] and antiapoptotic marker [Bcl-2] were investigated in childhood with acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL] leukemia as a predictive markers represented in survival data. This study included 70 children with [ALL]; 38 males and 32 females; of median age 5 years. Event free survival [EFS] and overall survival [OS] were estimated for all studied cases. Cell cycle and apoptotic parameters as well as p53, c-myc and Bcl-2 were analyzed using FACS caliber flow cytometer in the lymphocyte cells of peripheral blood. Aneuploidy constituted 33% of studied cases. The median overall survival [OS] showed higher significant values when S% was <4.5%, and DNA index was >/= 0.94 and p53 was < 70.87, whereas it showed no significant difference related to G0/G1%, G2/M% and aneuploidy%. The median event free survival [EFS] showed significant higher value at Bcl-2 >/= 81.5 but with no significance related to other cell cycle parameters as well as p53 and c-myc. These data suggest that DNA index, S phase fraction, p53 and BcI-2 may be useful as a predictive markers that help patients' stratification and adjusting protocols of ALL therapy