Evaluating SOD1 as a Prognostic Factor in Leukemia

Background: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of leukemia, with superoxide dismutase (SOD) playing a critical role in the defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS). The assessment of SOD levels in leukemia patients can provide insights into the oxidative stress profile and its association with the disease. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 10 patients diagnosed with leukemia and 10 healthy controls. SOD levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a highly sensitive method allowing for precise measurement of the enzyme activity in the blood. Results: The patient group exhibited higher mean (19,759) and median (15,079) SOD levels compared to the control group (mean: 13,445, median: 11,562). However, a substantial overlap in SOD levels was observed between the two groups, as evidenced by the standard errors (patient group SE: 4794, control group SE: 2373). The difference in SOD levels did not achieve statistical significance (P-Value: 0.253), suggesting that within the limits of the study's scale and design, the results did not conclusively indicate a distinct difference in SOD levels between patients with leukemia and healthy individuals. Conclusion: Although an increased trend in SOD levels was noted among leukemia patients, the study did not find a statistically significant difference. The results warrant further investigation with a larger cohort to determine the relevance of SOD levels in leukemia and its potential as a biomarker for oxidative stress-related pathology in the disease.