Expression of CD45, CD34, CD10, and human leukocyte antigen-DR in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Abstract

Background: Immunophenotypic analysis of leukemic cells by multicolor flow cytometry using different monoclonal antibodies labeled to various flourochromes, is an important, precise and rapid investigation for diagnosis, classification, prognosis prediction, and minimal residual disease detection in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Objectives: The aims of study were to study the expression of CD45, CD34, CD10, human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) in B and T-ALL among 114 Iraqi patients and compare findings with other reports worldwide. Patients, Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 114 ALL patients of various age groups from different hematology centers in Baghdad who were referred to Flowcytometry Department at the Bone Marrow Transplantation Center/Private Nursing Home Hospital/Medical City for immunophenotypic classification using multi-color flow cytometry from the January 1, 2016, to the August 31, 2016. Results: Out of 114 patients, 71 patients were pediatric patients and 43 were adults. Eighty-three patients were classified as B-cell ALL and 31 patients as T-cell ALL. There was significant association between male gender, high white blood cells count and T-cell ALL subtype. Negative-dim-moderate CD45, positive CD34, and positive HLA-DR expressions were significantly associated with B-cell ALL. Common ALL antigen was seen in 86.7% of the B-cell ALL patients and was accompanied cTdT expression. Aberrant myeloid antigens were observed in 22.9% of B-cell ALL patients and in 35.5% of T-cell ALL. About 4.8% of the patients with B-cell ALL had aberrant T-linage antigens while 6.5% of the patients with T-cell ALL expressed aberrant B-cell lineage antigens. Conclusion: Immunophenotypic expression of ALL cells among Iraqi patients is to somewhat in accordance with various researches worldwide making immunophenotyping flow cytometry a crucial appliance in diagnosis, classification, risk stratification, and minimal residual disease detection in ALL.