Sperm associated antigen 9 expression and humoral response in chronic myeloid leukemia.

Early diagnosis and cure for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) exhibit significant clinical challenges because of the disease progression from chronic phase (CP) into a rapidly fatal blast crisis. Our earlier studies suggested an association of sperm associated antigen 9 (SPAG9) with various human malignancies. The present investigation revealed that SPAG9 mRNA and protein are expressed in CML patients (88%), in K562 and KCL-22 cells. Further, SPAG9 protein expression was also detected on cell surface suggesting that this molecule may be a suitable target for immunotherapy. Interestingly, 90% CML-CP patients showed humoral response against SPAG9, suggesting its important role in early diagnostic of CML-CP. Further investigation is warranted in establishing the potential of SPAG9 as a biomarker and immunotherapeutic target for early treatment of CML-CP patients.