الفهرس 
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Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm with an incidence of one to two cases per 100,000 adults, with increasing incidence with age and a slight male predominance of 1.3:1. Thirty percent of patients are 60 years old or older, with the median age at presentation being 45 to 50 years old. The pathogenesis of CML involves a specific genetic abnormality involving the fusion of the Abelson murine leukemia (ABL) gene on chromosome 9 with the breakpoint cluster region (BCR) gene on chromosome 22. This translocation fuses the genes encoding BCR and ABL1, and results in expression of the constitutively active protein tyrosine kinase BCR-ABL1. The Ph chromosome is present in more than 95% of adult CML patients.
The human genome encodes four JAKs (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2) and seven STATs (STAT1, 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B and 6). The number of ligands and receptors that can activate the JAK/STAT pathway is much higher. All interferons, most interleukins, many growth factors and some hormones activate STAT transcription factors. STATs are not only activated by cytokine receptors that associate with JAKs but also by receptor tyrosine kinases and G protein-coupled receptors. Depending on the receptor, STAT activation from non cytokine receptors might be JAK-dependent or JAK-independent.
STAT transcription factors are mostly dedicated to hematopoiesis and immunity with the exception of STAT3 which is also involved in reproduction, embryonic development, mammary involution and wound healing. Dysregulated activation of STATs plays an important role in chronic inflammation and cancer.
The search for non-invasive tools for diagnosis and management of cancer is extremely important for reducing the worldwide health burden of cancer. STAT 3 show potential as biomarkers and can even be found circulating in the serum. On the other-hand, it is present in healthy individuals in the serum but levels appear to change in response to the onset of some cancers.
The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between the level of STAT 3 and BCR-ABL level in chronic myeloid leukemic patients- chronic phase treated with imitinib and its correlation as a prognostic factor.
This study was conducted on thirty patients diagnosed as chronic phase-chronic myloid leukemia and treated with imatinib for 3 months and followed thoroughly for 3 months. Fifteen healthy subjects with matched age were included as control group.