Introduction:
AML is a heterogeneous disorder and developing improved treatment strategies requires search for novel biomarkers involved in clonal evolution. In this study, we attempt to evaluate the biomarker potential of plasma EVs released by leukemic cells in the blood of AML patients.
Patients & methods:
EVs from plasma of 5 healthy donors and 16 AML patients were isolated by ultracentrifugation and analysed for their protein (BCA), number and size (NTA). Isolation method of dsDNA from EVs was established and NGS of gDNA & EV-dsDNA using Illumina MiSeqDx for pediatric AML panel was performed.
Results:
The number of EVs appeared to be higher in AML patients than in healthy donors. Interestingly, significant decrease in EV number was observed in patients after treatment in comparison to EV number at initial diagnosis. In 2 out of 3 patients, we found a strong co-correlation of leukemia specific mutations in EV-dsDNA when matched to the gDNA from leukemic cells.
Conclusions:
We can demonstrate the diagnostic and prognostic potential of analyzing AML specific mutations in plasma EV-dsDNA.
