Bcl-2 oncoprotein and sphingolipids blood levels in childhood lymphoma and leukemia

ABSTRACT

In this work, BCL-2 oncoprotein and sphingolipids levels were determined in blood of 60 children including 27 children with non- Hodgkin's lymphoma[NHL], 20 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL] and 13 children with acute monoblastic leukemia [AML]. The study also included 11 healthy controls with comparable ages to patients. The study revealed significant increase in BCL-2 oncoprotein levels in patients compared with the controls; where levels in cases with AML were lower than cases with ALL or NHL. All patients had BCL-2 levels higher than cut-off levels i.e. 100% sensitivity. Children with enlarged liver and/or spleen showed higher BCL-2 oncoprotein levels compared with those without this enlargement. There was significant positive correlation between BCL-2 oncoprotein levels and splenic size. The levels of sphingolipids were significantly increased in patients compared with controls. Patients with ALL and NHL had significantly higher levels than cases with AML. Among cases with lymphoma and leukemia, 53.3% had levels above the cut-off levels. Children with liver and/or splenic enlargement had higher sphingolipid levels than children without enlargement. Sphingolipid levels correlated significantly in a positive manner with the size of the liver and spleen