[PRPS1 Expression in Children with Acute Leukemia and Its Clinical Significance]

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Pediatric Oncology

Background:

• Phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase 1 (PRPS1) plays a crucial role in nucleotide synthesis.
• Altered PRPS1 expression has been implicated in various cancers, but its role in pediatric acute leukemia (AL) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between PRPS1 expression levels and clinical characteristics in children diagnosed with acute leukemia (AL).
• To evaluate PRPS1 as a potential prognostic biomarker in pediatric AL.

Main Methods:

• PRPS1 mRNA and protein expression were quantified using RT-qPCR and Western blot in bone marrow samples from 176 pediatric AL patients and 21 controls.
• Statistical analysis was performed to correlate PRPS1 levels with clinical indicators, including risk stratification, white blood cell (WBC) counts, minimal residual disease (MRD) status, and the expression of NT5C2.

Main Results:

• Significantly elevated PRPS1 mRNA levels were observed in newly diagnosed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients compared to those in complete remission and controls.
• In B-ALL, higher PRPS1 expression correlated with increased risk stratification, elevated WBC counts, and MRD positivity.
• PRPS1 expression was positively correlated with NT5C2 expression, a gene associated with relapse and drug resistance, in AL samples.

Conclusions:

• Elevated PRPS1 expression is associated with an unfavorable prognosis in pediatric B-ALL.
• PRPS1 may serve as a novel prognostic indicator for pediatric B-ALL.
• PRPS1 could potentially guide individualized chemotherapy strategies in pediatric B-ALL.