Evaluation of Cortactin and HS1 Genes Expression: New Players in Adult B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of cortactin and HS1 genes expression in adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. METHODS: The study included a cohort of 74 adult B-ALL patients and 76 controls. Cortactin and HS1 genes expression were quantified by real time PCR. RESULTS: The expression of cortactin and HS1 were significantly higher in B-ALL patients at diagnosis as compared to post induction levels (P<0.001) as well as normal controls (P<0.001 for all). Cox regression analysis revealed that B-ALL patients with high Cortactin expression as well as high HS1 expression had significant high risk of relapse (P=0.005; Odds ratio (OR)= 1.428, CI= [1.175-1.783]; and P=0.003; OR= 1.078, CI= [1.025-1.134]; respectively) and higher probability of deaths (P= 0.041; OR=1.092, CI =[1.002-1.04]; and P=0.005; OR=1.071, CI=[1.013-1,041]; respectively). Survival analysis revealed that B-ALL patients with high cortactin and high HS1 expression had significantly shorter OS and increased frequency of relapse as compared to those with lower expression levels (P <0.01 for all). CONCLUSION: High cortactin and HS1 genes expression at diagnosis denote bad clinical outcome in B-ALL patients. Assessment of correction expression at B-ALL diagnosis could be considered as risk biomarker at diagnosis.