Significance of OCT3/4 and SOX2 antigens expression by leukemic blast cells in adult acute leukemia

Objective This study aimed to address the prognostic impact of SOX2 and OCT3/4 expression on adult acute leukemia patients' outcomes. Methods SOX2 and OCT3/4 expression by blast cells were evaluated by flow cytometry in 80 acute leukemia patients and 8 healthy controls. Results Baseline SOX2 and OCT3/4 expression were significantly higher in both ALL (P = < 0.001, P = 0.005 respectively) and AML patients (P < 0.001, P = 0.003 respectively) as compared to control, and decline at complete remission (CR) and elevated again at relapse. High SOX2 and OCT3/4 levels were significantly correlated with the presence of adverse risk stratification parameters. Conclusion Our findings indicated that both SOX2 and OCT3/4 could serve as biomarkers that could improve risk stratification of acute leukemia patients. Also, both SOX2 and OCT3/4 might be a therapeutic target, especially in resistant acute leukemia.