T-regulatory and T-helper type17 Cells Associated Cytokines (IL-35, IL-17) as Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Egyptian Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients

Abstract

Background: The etiology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is heterogeneous and has been associated with several risk factors; tumor escape mechanism is one of the major factors. In this study, we tried to investigate the role of T-reg cells and T- helper cells associated cytokines mainly IL-35, IL-17 in the pathogenesis of AML by determining IL-35 and IL-17 levels in different groups of AML patients. Methods: For this purpose, 70 adult AML patients and 20 healthy controls were studied for IL-35 and IL-17 blood level. From total AML patients 35 were newly diagnosed (ND) patients and 35 patients in complete remission (CR). Results: High levels of IL- 35 and IL-17 were detected in AML patients than the control group and their levels in the ND patients were significantly higher than those patients in CR. There was a significant positive correlation between IL-35 and IL-17 concentration in total AML patients. Also there was a significant positive correlation between IL-35 and IL-17 levels and each of WBCs and bone marrow blasts. Conclusion: IL-35 and IL-17 levels were significantly higher in newly diagnosed AML patients suggesting their role as a diagnostic potential of the disease, the levels were decreased when patients achieved CR following chemotherapy suggesting that assessment of their levels may be beneficial to evaluate the efficacy of treatment.