Leukemia response to chemotherapy predicted by CASP8AP2 expression

10-10-2006

Response of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to chemotherapy could be predicted by caspase 8-associated protein 2 (CASP8AP2) expression.

"In childhood ALL, early response to treatment is a powerful prognostic indicator. To identify genes associated with this response, we analyzed gene expression of diagnostic lymphoblasts from 189 children with ALL and compared the findings with minimal residual disease (MRD) levels on days 19 and 46 of remission induction treatment," scientists in the United States reported.

"After excluding genes associated with genetic subgroups, we identified 17 genes that were significantly associated with MRD," explained C. Flotho and colleagues, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "The CASP8AP2 gene was studied further because of its reported role in apoptosis and glucocorticoid signaling.

"In a separate cohort of 99 patients not included in the comparison of gene expression profiles and MRD, low levels of CASP8AP2 expression predicted a lower event-free survival (p=.02) and a higher rate of leukemia relapse (p=.01) and were an independent predictor of outcome. High levels of CASP8AP2 expression were associated with a greater propensity of leukemic lymphoblasts to undergo apoptosis."

The researchers concluded that "measurement of CASP8AP2 expression at diagnosis offers a means to identify patients whose leukemic cells are highly susceptible to chemotherapy. Therefore, this gene is a strong candidate for inclusion in gene expression arrays specifically designed for leukemia diagnosis."

Flotho and colleagues published their study in Blood (Genes contributing to minimal residual disease in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: prognostic significance of CASP8AP2. Blood, 2006;108(3):1050-1057).

For more information, contact D. Campana, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Dept. of Hematology Oncology, 332 N Lauderdale St., Memphis, TN 38105, USA.

Publisher contact information for the journal Blood is: American Society Hematology, 1900 M Street. NW Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036, USA.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.