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Serum intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in childhood malignancy
1Department of Hematology-Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38101.
Insights
Pediatric cancer patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Hodgkin's disease showed higher soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) levels. These levels correlated with disease stage and relapse, normalizing in remission.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is involved in immune responses.
- Elevated ICAM-1 has been observed in various cancers.
- Its role in pediatric malignancies requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure serum ICAM-1 levels in children diagnosed with different cancers.
- To correlate ICAM-1 levels with disease characteristics like stage and relapse.
- To assess ICAM-1 levels in patients in remission.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected at diagnosis from pediatric patients with Hodgkin's disease, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Wilms' tumor, osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma.
- Serum ICAM-1 levels were quantified using established assays.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare levels between groups and correlate with clinical data.
Main Results:
- Median serum ICAM-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Hodgkin's disease compared to controls and other pediatric malignancies.
- Serum ICAM-1 levels positively correlated with disease stage in Hodgkin's disease, Ewing's sarcoma, and Wilms' tumor.
- A positive correlation was also observed between ICAM-1 levels and relapse frequency in Hodgkin's disease.
- All patients in remission had normal serum ICAM-1 levels.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum ICAM-1 at diagnosis is associated with specific pediatric malignancies, notably acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Hodgkin's disease.
- Serum ICAM-1 levels may serve as a potential biomarker for disease burden and relapse risk in certain childhood cancers.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise role of ICAM-1 in the pathogenesis and progression of pediatric malignancies.
Abstract:
Levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were measured in serum samples taken at diagnosis from pediatric patients with Hodgkin's disease (n = 69), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 28), Wilms' tumor (n = 20), osteosarcoma (n = 17), rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 18), or Ewing's sarcoma (n = 15). Median levels of serum ICAM-1 were significantly higher in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Hodgkin's disease than in controls and other malignancies. Levels were positively correlated with disease stage for patients with Hodgkin's disease, Ewing's sarcoma or Wilms' tumor, and with the frequency of relapse in Hodgkin's disease (P = .016). Serum levels were normal in all of 76 patients tested in remission. It remains to be determined whether increased serum ICAM-1 levels simply reflect a greater tumor burden or whether this molecule contributes directly to the progression of childhood malignancies.