Flow Cytometry Results at Diagnosis and Relapse in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Introduction: Several studies have focused on the immunophenotype of the leukemic population at the timeof relapse compared to that observed at diagnosis. Objectivew: The question of whether differences exist betweensurface antigens levels on blasts at the time of diagnosis and at relapse in cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL) was addressed. Materials and
Methods: A total of 25 All patients were included. Flow cytometry andfluorescein-isothiocynate conjugated antibodies were used to determined surface antigens levels.
Results: Themost frequently detected five antigens were I2 (n=21), CD10 (n=17), CD41 (n=16), CD2 (n=14) and CD7/CD19(n=13/n=13) at the time of diagnosis and CD41 (n=21), I2 (n=20), CD10 (n=14), CD19 (n=16) and CD2 (n=12)at the time of relapse. There was a significant difference only between CD41 levels at the time of diagnosis andat the time of relapse (p=0.041).
Conclusion: We found changes in antigen expressions at the time of relapse inALL patients. This condition ought to be evaluated with reference to prognosis of leukemia.