Evaluation of Antioxidants Status at Diagnosis in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a neoplastic disease of immature lymphocytes or lymphocyte progenitor cells either the B- or T-cell lineage. It is the most common malignancy diagnosed in patients younger than 15 years, and account for approximately 25-30% of adult acute leukemia.

Objective: To evaluate some antioxidants as zinc, selenium, vitamin A (retinol) and vitamin E (tocopherol) status at diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and to compare it to that of a control population.

Patients and methods: This case-control study was carried out at Oncology Unit of Pediatrics Department and Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospitals. This study consisted of two groups: Patients’ group (30 children patients with newly diagnosed ALL). As regard control group, it included 30 healthy children who were matched well with patients’ age and sex. Fasting levels of serum zinc, selenium, retinol and tocopherol were measured.

Results: There was a high statistically significant decrease of vitamin E, selenium and zinc among all cases than their controls. While, there was a significant increase of vitamin A among all cases. Zinc level was statistically significantly increased with increased risk of disease, while no statistically significant relation between disease risk and other levels of serum antioxidant.

Conclusion: Some antioxidants as zinc, selenium and vitamin E (tocopherol) status at diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia are lower compared to that of a control population.