Klin Padiatr 2016; 228 - A13
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1582490

Impact of the gene expression of natural killer cell receptors and their ligands for treatment response and prognosis in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

N Marencke 1, J Schmäh 1, M Zimmermann 2, D Schewe 1, A Moericke 1, J Alten 1, K Bleckmann 1, M Schrappe 1, M Stanulla 2, G Cario 1
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
  • 2Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

Introduction: Although most patients suffering from pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are cured by current treatment strategies, there are still about 15 to 20% who subsequently relapse. To identify mechanisms by which disease is controlled in successfully treated patients might contribute to further improve treatment results. Recently we have shown in mice models that activated NK cells can control residual disease in the periphery allowing leukemic cells to migrate into the central nervous system (CNS). Whether NK cell activation contributes to leukemic disease control also in children with ALL was not systemically investigated yet.

Results: In order to investigate the impact of NK cell activity for treatment response and prognosis in pediatric ALL, mRNA expression of NK cell receptors (KLRK1 (NKG2D) and NCR2 (NKp44)) and their ligands (UL-16 binding protein 1 (ULBP1), UL-16 binding protein 2 (ULBP2) and UL-16 binding protein 3 (ULBP3)) were analyzed in primary bone marrow samples of 583 patients, treated according to the ALL-BFM 2000 protocol (pB-ALL = 497; T-ALL = 80; others = 6) using quantitative real-time PCR.

Conclusion: Significant associations of gene expression of NK cell receptors and ligands and ALL-BFM 2000 risk groups (high risk vs. non-high risk) which mainly based on in vivo treatment resistance were detected; indicating a potential role of NK cells for disease control in childhood ALL.