Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of sCD117 in Severe Aplastic Anemia: A Cross-sectional Study

Severe aplastic anemia is a rare, life-threatening disorder characterized by a reduction in all blood cell types and an underproduction of bone marrow cells, often due to autoimmune destruction of blood-forming stem cells. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of soluble CD117 in severe aplastic anemia. This cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2019 and December 2022 at Alsalam Referral Hospital. There were 66 patients with severe aplastic anemia and 66 healthy controls. Soluble CD117 levels were measured at diagnosis, after three months, and at the completion of treatment. Statistical analyses, including receiver operating characteristic analysis and survival analyses, were conducted via SPSS software. At diagnosis, patients with severe aplastic anemia had significantly lower levels of soluble CD117 (32.7 ± 8.5 pg/mL) than healthy controls did (65.4 ± 15.6 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Soluble CD117 levels were greater in patients who responded well to treatment. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.78 (95% confidence interval: 0.71-0.85), with a 50 pg/mL cutoff, indicating 70.5% sensitivity and 75.8% specificity. Lower baseline soluble CD117 levels were associated with poorer overall and event-free survival (p = 0.021, p = 0.015). Soluble CD117 has potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in severe aplastic anemia and is strongly correlated with disease activity and treatment outcomes. It may assist in guiding treatment and managing patient care.