Changes of Cell Adhesion Molecules and T Cell Subset Populations in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients Undergoing Intravenous Administration of Cytarabine Supplemented with Idarubicin

Abstract

Objective. The present study aimed at investigating the efficacy and safety of intravenous administration of cytarabine supplemented with idarubicin in treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients undergoing first attack and its effects on serum levels of cell adhesion molecules, cytokines in response to inflammation, and T cell subset populations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients undergoing first attack. Methods. A total of 88 AML patients eligible for inclusion and exclusion criteria participated in the study and were randomly assigned into the control group (n = 44) in which the patients received intravenous administration of cytarabine and daunorubicin and the study group (n = 44) in which the patients received intravenous administration of cytarabine and idarubicin. Clinical response, incidence of adverse reactions, and quality of life 3 months after therapy were evaluated. Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), IL-10, and IL-35 were measured by ELISA methods. Phenotypic characteristics of T cell subsets including CD4+, CD8+, CD4+IL-10 Tregs, and CD4+CD25+CD127−Foxp3+ Tregs were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results. The clinical response rate of the study group was better than that of the control group (65.91% vs. 45.45%) ( P < 0.05 ). After treatment, the study group revealed significantly lower levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, IL-10, and IL-35, a lower proportion of Tregs, a higher rate of CD4+/CD8+ T cells, along with increased scores of the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) compared with the control group ( P < 0.05 ). The incidence rate of adverse reactions in the study group was lower than that in the control group (34.09% vs. 61.36%) ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion. These findings demonstrate that intravenous administration of cytarabine supplemented with idarubicin can improve the immune function and quality of life of AML patients, and this combination drug therapy is effective and safe for AML.