Heparanase Gene Expression Level In Egyptian Children With Acute Leukemia

Background: Heparanase is an endoglycosidase that degrades heparan sulfate, the main polysaccharide constituent of the extracellular matrix and basement membrane. The objective of this study was to show Heparanase gene expression pattern in acute leukemia patients and its role in disease severity and progression and in patients response to therapy. Materials and Methods: We analyzed Heparanase gene expression level in 40 pediatric acute leukemia patients [20 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 20 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)] and 11 healthy controls using Real-Time Quantitative Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTQ-PCR) Results: Heparanase was expressed in 100% and 60% of AML and ALL respectively with levels significantly higher in patients than controls and in AML than ALL patients (p<0.001). Heparanase levels were significantly correlated with blast percentage (p=0.006 ) , platelet count (p=0.046) and final status of the disease (p<0.005). Conclusion: We conclude that Heparanse gene is expressed in acute leukemia being higher in AML than ALL and controls. Patients with higher Heparanase gene showed poorer outcome. These findings suggest that Heparanase gene may be a novel significant therapeutic target for acute leukemia