Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1: Possible Involvement with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Prognosis in Pediatric Patients

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant hematologic disorder and the most common cancer in children. Polymorphisms of TGFB1 gene have been associated to TGFB1 altered expression, disease susceptibility and prognosis. The present study evaluated polymorphisms of the TGFB1 promoter region and plasma levels of TGFB1 in 104 ALL patients and 115 controls. Furthermore, it was investigated its possible involvement in different clinical stages of ALL. Both polymorphisms were not associated with ALL susceptibility or risk of relapse and their different genotypes did not alter TGFB1 plasma levels. However, it was verified decreased of TGFB1 concentration in ALL compared to control group (p<0.0001). TGFB1 plasma levels were significantly lower in ALL patients at diagnosis comparing to treatment (p=0.004) and remission (p<0.0001) groups. Notably, patients in remission presented similar TGFB1 plasma levels to controls. This work demonstrated the effects of a deregulated immune function in childhood ALL concerning to TGFB1 regarding prognosis and suggests TGFB1 recovery induced by treatment.