Analysis Of Apoptotic And Multi-Drug Resistance Phenotype In Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background: The purpose of our study was to determine whether spontaneous apoptosis indexes (AI) have prognostic value in the. treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and to examine the P-gp profile of leukemic blasts in this group.Material and methods: Blasts from 40 children with ALL were tested for apoptotic index (Annexin V). Of all the ALL patients, 22 were low risk and 18 high risk. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 180 weeks (median 90 weeks). P-gp expression was measured using monoclonal antibodies.Results: The median spontaneous AI was 14+/-16%. The probability of EFS for patients with AI below the median was not significantly different from those with AI above the median (p=0.089). Negative correlation was determined between percentage of P-gp positive cells and AI in group of 12 children.Conclusions: Spontaneous AI did not appear to have a prognostic value in children with ALL.