Abstract
Background: Immunophenotypic markers can play significant role in prognostic assessment for different cancers and leukocyte-associated Ig-like receptor (LAIR-1) is a recently identified inhibitory immuno-receptor. Methods: We measured LAIR-1 expression in paediatric ALL patients (n-42) and appropriate controls by flow cytometry. Median fluorescence intensities (MFIs) were calculated and correlated with demographic and clinical variables and early treatment outcome parameters. Results: The ALL cohort had an age range of 1 - 11 y and a M:F ratio of 2.5:1. 64% had WBC counts <50 x 109/L and 15 (36%) >50 x 109/L, 52% being standard risk and 48% high risk. There were 6 cases of T-ALL and 36 of B-ALL. AML1-TEL, E2A-PBX, BCR-ABL and MLL-AF4 transcripts were noted in 3, 6, 2 and 1 patient, respectively. Day 8 ABC was <1,000 in 31 and >1,000 in 8 cases, while 30 had low and 7 high MRD (both >0.01) at day 35 of treatment. The median MFI for LAIR-1 expression in control cases was 8.2 (range 7.76-11.69) and in ALL cases 4.02 (range 0.56 to 11.87), with 74% (n-31) of ALL cases showing reduced LAIR-1 expression. However, no significant correlations were found between standard ALL risk factors and LAIR-1 expression. Out of 42 patients, 4 died during induction treatment and one exited therapy, 60% (n-3/5) of these featuring low expression of LAIR-1. Also ALL patients with low LAIR-1 expression had t (12;21), t (1;19) and t (4;11) translocations in 2, 4 and 1 samples, respectively, but none had t (9;22). Of those with high LAIR-1 expression, 2 had t (9;22) (MFIs-14.43 and 11.87). Conclusions: This pilot study of LAIR-1expression in ALL suggests low expression of the inhibitory molecule in leukemic cells. However, the findings need to be confirmed with larger cohort, along with studies focusing on pathophysiological roles in leukemic clone survival and escape from the immune system.