P0053 Expression of the GM-CSF gene and anti GM-CSF antibodies in egyptian adults with acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysblastic syndromes

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> Granulocyte–macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a pleiotropic cytokine, which regulates myeloid progenitors. Antibodies to GM-CSF, while uncommon, are implicated in the pathogenesis of some diseases. We aimed to assess GM-CSF mRNA gene expression and anti GM-CSF antibodies in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and myelodysblastic syndromes (MDS) in relation to disease behaviour, patients' survival, and therapy outcome. <h3>Methods</h3> We examined GM-CSF mRNA gene expression quantitatively by real time PCR (RT-PCR) and anti GM-CSF antibodies by ELISA in sera of 50 AML/MDS Egyptian cases in comparison with 20 healthy blood donors (HD). <h3>Findings</h3> We found lower GM-CSF gene expression (<i>p</i>=0.008) and higher serum levels of anti GM-CSF antibodies (<i>p</i>=0.001) in cases irrespective of disease category when compared to HD. <h3>Interpretation</h3> Alteration in GM-CSF gene expression is implicated in the pathogenesis of AML/MDS and also the high titre of anti GM-CSF antibodies might influence myeloid development. Use of anti GM-CSF for disease monitoring and as a marker of disease activity needs larger future studies.