Tryptase a novel biochemical marker of acute myeloid leukemia.
Despite maturation arrest, blast cells in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are often capable of expressing lineage-restricted (granulomonocytic or myelomastocytic) differentiation antigens. Tryptases are lineage-associated serine proteases primarily expressed in mast cells, and less abundantly in blood basophils. We have recently shown that myeloblasts in a group of patients with AML (approximately 40%) produce significant amounts of tryptase(s). In these patients, serum tryptase levels are elevated (> 15 ng/ml) and reflect the total burden of leukemic cells. In most cases, myeloblasts express alpha-tryptase mRNA in excess over beta-tryptase mRNA, and secrete the respective protein (= pro-alpha-tryptase) in a constitutive manner. It was also found that these AML blasts frequentlyco-express tryptase with additional mast cell lineage- and/or basophil-related differentiation antigens including KIT (CD117), histamine, and 2D7. We hypothesize that tryptase-positive AMLs arise from a leukemic progenitor that exhibits a limited potential to differentiate into mast cells and/or basophils.
Sperr
Wolfgang R
WR
Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. wolfgang.r.sperr@univie.ac.at
Hauswirth
Alexander W
AW
Valent
Peter
P
D000208:Acute Disease; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis*; D053802:Tryptases
D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D015415:Biomarkers; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D053802:Tryptases