Evaluation of survivin gene expression as a prognostic biomarker in pediatric B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of survivin mRNA expression in Egyptian patients with acute pediatric lymphoblastic leukemia and to outline any significant relation between the level of survivin expression and the clinical and hematological findings in those patients. Background Survivin, a unique member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, plays an important role in regulating both apoptosis and cell division and was found to be highly expressed in various kinds of tumors. Patients and methods Survivin expression was quantitatively determined by real-time (RT) PCR in 30 newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) pediatric patients before and after induction therapy and in 15 age-matched and sex-matched immune thrombocytopenic purpura individuals serving as a control group. Results A highly significant elevation (P Conclusion Survivin is overexpressed in B-ALL at presentation and may be used as a prognostic marker for ALL in pediatric patients.