Elevated Vulnerability of Chronic Leukemia Patients to COVID-19 Infection: A Systems Biology Approach

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence has shown that SARS-CoV-2 may affect the circulatory system in addition to the human respiratory system. However, no study has indicated whether patients with leukemia have a greater likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection or have poor treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to demonstrate the relationship between essential blood proteins and the major SARS-CoV-2 proteins by network pharmacology bioinformatics analysis. METHODS: Bioinformatics analysis was used to establish eight differentially expressed gene hubs in leukemia through differential gene screening, protein–protein interaction network analysis, and gene enrichment analysis. Molecular docking analysis was also conducted to dock the two up-regulated proteins with the spike glycoprotein in leukemia and the critical protease enzyme (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: We identified two up-regulated genes (PTPRC and BCL6) among the eight differentially expressed genes. The PTPRC and BCL6 also docked perfectly with the main SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: This study indicates that SARS-CoV-2 is likely to affect with the blood in patients with chronic leukemia. Therefore, patients with chronic leukemia require greater medical attention and precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s44229-022-00005-y.