Assessment of Serum P53 Protein Level in Adult Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Correlation with Response to Treatment

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an adult leukemia characterized by rapid proliferation of undifferentiated myeloid precursors, leading to bone marrow (BM) failure and impaired erythropoiesis. The p53 tumor suppressor protein regulates cell division and inhibits tumor development by preventing cell proliferation of altered or damaged DNA. It orchestrates various cellular reactions, including cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, and antioxidant properties. Objectives: To investigate the relationship of P53 serum level with hematological findings, remission, and survival status in de novo AML patients. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that enrolled 63 newly diagnosed de novo AML patients, and 15 sex- and age-matched healthy persons as a control group. Serum P53 levels were assessed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique before initiating induction chemotherapy. The study was performed between November 2022 and May 2023 at the Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Center of the Medical City Complex in Baghdad. Results: There were significantly lower P53 serum levels in AML patients before starting chemotherapy compared to the control group. However, no substantial difference in P53 levels was identified between AML patients achieving complete remission and those exhibiting no response, nor between alive and deceased individuals. Furthermore, there was a positive yet statistically non-significant correlation between serum P53 levels and age, and no significant relationship between P53 levels and sex or various hematological parameters. Conclusion: P53 levels are low in AML patients. They are not associated with remission status or survival after six months and are not correlated with hematological values.