Leukocyte glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase as prognostic indicator in ANLL and CML

Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) was estimated in the leucocytes of 35 patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) and 10 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). G6PD levels were found to be significantly decreased in majority of the patients with ANLL while it was increased in all CML patients. Variation in G6PD was found to be dependent on the percentage of myelocytes inANLL. Cytogenetic analysis was also carried out in these patients. Correlation analysis of leucocyte G6PD activity and karyotype with prognostic assessment clearly indicated the association of (s) high percentage of chromosomal abnormalities especially translocations, (b) low survival and remission rates, with patients having decreased G6PD activity when compared to patients with normal activity in ANLL. The studies indicate that leucocyte G6PD may be useful as a diagnostic and prognostic tool.