[CD96 expression on leukemia stem cells in 69 children with acute leukemia].

OBJECTIVE

To detect the expression of surface molecule CD96 on stem cell (LSC) in children with acute leukemia, and to explore its clinical significance.

METHODS

Bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated in 69 children with newly diagnosed acute leukemia. CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(+) LSCs were separated from these cells by flow cytometry (FCM) and then cultured, and CD96 expression on LSCs was detected by FCM. R-banding technique was used to analyze the karyotypes of the 69 children, and the data of their routine blood and immunological tests were collected.

RESULTS

CD96 was mainly expressed in children with acute myelogenous leukemia, and expressed to a lesser extent in those with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (P<0.05). The median expression level of CD96 in Uyghur children was 23.4%, versus 21.2% in Han children (P>0.05). The majority of children with CD96-positive children presented poor-prognosis karyotypes. Compared with CD96-negative children, children with CD96-positive children had a significantly lower complete remission rate (P<0.05) and significantly higher infection and relapse rates after chemotherapy (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Children with acute leukemia who have CD96-positive LSCs have a poor prognosis. CD96 may be a new indicator of prognosis in children with acute leukemia.