Apolipoproteins—New Biomarkers of Overweight and Obesity among Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Survivors?

Abstract

Patients suffering from childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at risk of late adverse treatment-related effects. The examination of targeted biomarkers could be used to improve the diagnosis and prediction of life-threatening ALL sequelae. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to search for treatment-related alterations in apolipoprotein (Apo) levels as potential markers of the occurrence of obesity in subjects treated for ALL, and to assess the relationships between weight, gender, anticancer treatment, and Apo concentrations. Fifty-eight ALL survivors were included in the study. The mean time of follow-up after treatment cessation was 5.41 ± 4.29 years. Serum levels of apolipoproteins were measured using a multiplex assay kit. Among ALL survivors, we observed a significant correlation of Apo-C1, Apo-C3, Apo-H, and Apo-J levels, depending on body mass index (BMI). Marked differences were observed in the area under the curve of Apo-A1, Apo-A2, Apo-C1, Apo-D. In our study, patients with a history of childhood ALL developed alterations in their Apo profile. Furthermore, this is the first study revealing that some apolipoproteins may act as valuable biomarkers useful in the prognosis of metabolic imbalance. We believe that this paper, at least partially, will highlight the importance of long-term prognosis of metabolic complications associated with the anticancer chemotherapy used to treat hematological malignancies in children.

ApoC3 is expressed in oocytes and increased expression is associated with PCOS progression

“…ApoC3 inhibits lipoprotein lipases and prevents ApoB and ApoE apolipoproteins from interacting with their hepatic receptors, thereby increasing the bioavailability of circulating TG-rich lipoproteins via reducing lipolysis and therefore reduces hepatic uptake. Increasing level of circulating ApoC3 has widely been proposed as a biomarker for hypertriglyceridemia and metabolic imbalance in type 1 diabetes, chronic kidney disease and acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ 11 – 13 ]. It has been established that PCOS patients may have an increased risk of hyperlipemia and metabolic diseases, but rare study has been conducted to investigate the relationship between ApoC3 and PCOS [ 14 ].…”

Vitamin D Deficiency and Carotid Media-Intima Thickness in Childhood Cancer Survivors

“…Recently, it has been increasingly emphasized that in addition to the influence of genetic and environmental factors, the earlier development of many diseases as compared to the general population results from previous anticancer treatment [ 1 , 2 ]. An emerging population of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) is also predisposed to dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome and subsequent cardiovascular disorders [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Moreover, growing evidence supports a molecular basis for premature aging in association with the use of cytostatics and radiation therapy, including processes such as pro-inflammatory cytokines production, telomere attrition, and oxidative stress, which ultimately leading to damage to various cells in the body [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”