Background Measurement of some circulating endothelial adhesion molecules and soluble receptors levels have been suggested as additional tools for assessment of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The aim of this study is to estimate sVCAM-1, sEselectin and sIL2R levels in the serum of cases with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, comparing their levels before and after chemotherapy and comparing them to the control group. Moreover patients were categorised into responder and non-responder.

Patients and Method This study included ninety subjects attending National Cancer Institute; Twenty newly diagnosed patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) before starting chemotherapy, 40 patients with ALL after chemotherapy. 10 patients in partial remission and 20 apparently normal subjects within the same age and sex range, as a control group. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosis was made by bone marrow aspiration, cytochemistry and microscopic examination. Flowcytomer was used for immunophenotyping to confirm the diagnosis using monoclonal antibodies. SVCAM-1, sEselectin and sIL2R were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results There were significant increases in the three estimated parameters in patients before chemotherapy as compared to after treatment as well as to the control group.

Conclusion The levels of some soluble circulating adhesion molecule and soluble receptors levels can be utilized for monitoring the disease activity of ALL and its response to treatment.