(Vanin-1) Protein Level as Discriminating Factor between Primary Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Thrombocytopenia Due to Acute Leukemia

Abstract Background Vanin-1 is an ectoenzyme with pantetheinase activity. It is highly expressed at the gene and protein level in many organs, such as the liver, intestine, and kidney. Aim of the Work The aim of this study was to measure Vanin-1 protein levels in patients with newly diagnosed primary immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and in patients with newly diagnosed thrombocytopenia due to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients and Methods a comparative study made in Ain Shams University Hospitals, Clinical Haematology of Internal Medicine Department. The Vanin-1 protein level was measured by ELISA in patients with newly diagnosed ITP (n = 30), AML (n = 30), and healthy controls (n = 30). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected and analyzed. Results The mean age of the AML patients was higher than the mean age of the ITP and control groups. Male predominance was observed among the AML group, while female predominance was observed among the ITP group. Dyspnea, fatigue, and bleeding were the most common presentations among the AML group, while anemia and bleeding were the most common presentations among the ITP group. Vanin-1 levels were significantly higher in the ITP group compared to the AML group and healthy controls. ROC curve analysis showed that Vanin-1 could discriminate ITP patients from AML patients and healthy controls with high sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion Vanin-1 can be used as a predictive factor to differentiate ITP and AML cases from healthy non-diseased subjects, and also to differentiate thrombocytopenia due to AML from that due to ITP.