Re-evaluation of DNA Index as a Prognostic Factor in Children with Precursor B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of DNA index (DI) in children with precursor B cell acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (pre-B ALL).

From January 2003 to December 2014, 72 children diagnosed with pre-B ALL were analyzed. We analyzed the prognostic value of DI and its relations with other prognostic factors.

The DI cut-point of 1.16 did not discriminate significantly the groups between high and low survivals (DI≥1.16 versus <1.16; 5-year OS, 90.5% vs. 82.8%, p=0.665). We explored the survivals according to the level of DI (<1.00, 1.00, 1.01-1.30, 1.31-1.60, 1.61-1.90, and >1.90), and the survival of children with a DI between 1.00-1.90 were significantly higher than that of children with DI of <1.00 or >1.90 (5-year OS, 90.6% vs. 50.0%, p<0.001).

The DI of 1.16 was not a significant cut-point discriminating the risk group in children with pre-B ALL. However, the DI divided by specific ranges of values remained an independent prognostic factor. Further studies are warranted to re-evaluate the prognostic value and cut-point of DI in children treated with recent treatment protocols.