Lymphocyte activation gene-3 gene expression and myeloid-derived suppressor cells in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia patients

Abstract

Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of immature myeloid cells. Immune checkpoint molecules such as lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are essential for controlling anti-tumor immune responses. Aim To evaluate the predictive value of LAG-3 and MDSC levels in newly diagnosed AML patients. Patients and methods This prospective, case–control study was conducted at the Hematology Department of …. University Hospitals from March 2022 to June 2024. There were 100 participants in the trial, 50 of whom were de novo adult patients with AML and 50 of whom were healthy controls. LAG-3 gene expression and MDSCs were detected in all patients. Results Nonresponders reported significantly larger median values of MDSC% and LAG-3 than the complete response group. For dead patients, insignificant difference was detected in comparison with partial and nonresponders though the median values for both markers were significantly higher in dead patients than cases with complete response. Conclusion The results highlight the variability of AML and the possibility of including genetic and immunophenotypic markers in prognostic models. Their usefulness in risk assessment and individualized treatment strategies is highlighted by the high degree of concordance between LAG-3 and MDSC classifications and their correlation with important genetic alterations.