Publication:

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as a prognostic marker in chronic myeloid Leukemia: an observational study

Background Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a protein which is associated with various inflammatory conditions affecting human tissues, such as those in the respiratory, gastro-enteric and urinary tracts, with a marked increase in the local and systemic expression. Different experimental evidences reveal that NGAL is required for the induction and pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Methods The present study was conducted in department of Biochemistry in a tertiary care institute of Haryana. 30 cases of CML were included in the study. It was a hospital based observational study which was conducted for one-year duration. Apart from routine biochemical investigations, serum NGAL estimation was done before the initiation of therapy and after 3 months of therapy.

Results The median age at presentation was 39 years. Male to female ratio was 1.3:1. Weight loss was the most common presentation of patients (53.3%). More than half of the cases occurred in age group of 21-40 years. Serum NGAL was significantly higher in CML patients (358.47±125.65) before treatment as compared to serum NGAL value after treatment (85.03±62.77). In patients who achieved hematological remission, mean serum NGAL levels (62.46 ng/ml±23.72) were statistically lower than mean serum NGAL values in patients who did not achieve remission (231.75 ng/ml±16.7).

Conclusions The present study concluded that serum NGAL levels can be used as diagnostic and prognostic marker in CML.