Immunologic Profile and Outcome of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in Morocco

Abstract

Immunophenotyping in leukemia offers a precise delineation of the hematopoietic lineage and differentiation stage of the malignant cell. In this study, we used flow cytometry to determine the frequency of the immunologic types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Moroccan children. We analyzed 100 samples from ALL patients within an age ranging from 6 months to 16 years presented over a 4-year period (1996 to 2000). Immunophenotyping allowed classification into 2 major categories: T-ALL (37%) and B-ALL (63%), with a higher percentage of males (69%). Comparison of the clinical characteristics showed that the frequency of splenomegaly was similar in B-ALL and T-ALL patients (53% and 47%, respectively). Hepatomegaly and mediastinal masses were more often associated with T-ALL (62% and 71%, respectively). Splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and mediastinal masses were more frequent in immature than mature B-ALL, whereas the reverse was observed for T-ALL. Complete remission was obtained in 88% and 84% of B-ALL and T-ALL, respectively and relapse after 1 year occurred in 30% and 37% of cases, respectively. CD10 expressing B-ALL showed a slightly higher complete remission rate, whereas the reverse was observed for CD10 expressing T-ALL. The overall 5-year survival rate of ALL was 38%, whereas patients with B-ALL showed better survival than children with T-ALL.

CD10 AND CD34 EXPRESSION IN CHILDHOOD ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA IN MOROCCO: Clinical Relevance and Outcome

“…Overall survival was significantly lower for B-and T-ALL CD10 − . These data confirmed previous observations obtained with a different group of patients studied over a similar period [25].…”

“…Immunophenotypic classification was performed in all cases using a large panel of monoclonal antibodies according to the European Group for the Immunological Characterization of Leukemia (EGIL) [24]. Immunological studies were carried out as described [25] and included expression of CD34 and CD10. A first panel of a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies was used to assign proliferating cells to the lymphoid or myeloid lineage.…”

BCR-ABL Translocation in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Southern India

“…Out of 24 cases that we used for immunophenotyping, 14 cases (58.3%) were 'B' cell type (positive for CD19) and four cases (16.6%) were 'T' cell positive (positive for CD3). Our results for immunophenotyping for B cell are similar to that of a study conducted by Dakka et al [12], where out of 100 samples that were analyzed B-ALL was 63% and T-ALL was 37%. Early reports also [13] show the proportion of TALL as compared to precursor B-cell ALL was lower in younger children, due to an incidence peak of precursor B-ALL in toddlers and at preschool age compared to a constant incidence of T-ALL.…”

Characterization of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Subtypes in Moroccan Children

“…In Morocco, there are two dedicated pediatric oncology units, and compared to that seen in developed countries, treatment is less successful [3, 4]. The survival rate after treatment for ALL children in Morocco is less than 40%, even in specialized centers [3].…”

“…The survival rate after treatment for ALL children in Morocco is less than 40%, even in specialized centers [3]. In 2003, the St. Jude International Outreach Program became a partner with the two pediatric oncology units to improve the outcome of Moroccan children with malignancies.…”