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Altered serum fucose and its diagnostic relevance in newly diagnosed leukemia patients

Jihan Wais Jaleel
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Health sciences, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
Bakhtiar Muhialdin Ahmed
Department of Basic Scince, College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Jihan Wais Jaleel, Bakhtiar Muhialdin Ahmed (Author)

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Abstract

Background and objective: Altered fucosylation patterns have been implicated in cancer progression and immune evasion. This study aimed to evaluate serum fucose and specific fucose-related parameters in newly diagnosed leukemia patients and assess their diagnostic potential.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 65 males (33 leukemia patients, 32 healthy controls), aged 20–75. Blood samples were collected at Nanakali Hospital (Erbil) and analyzed by spectrophotometry to determine levels of Total Fucose (TF), Protein-Bound Fucose (PBF), Lipid-Associated Fucose (LAF), Protein-Bound Hexose (PBH), and Free Fucose (FF). Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism with a significance level of P* <0.001. Diagnostic performance was assessed using ROC analysis.

Results: Leukemia patients had significantly elevated serum TF (median: 173.3 mg/dl), PBF (10.17 mg/dl), FF (161.1mg/dl), and LAF (mean: 3.347± 1.076), while PBH levels were decreased (18.97mg/dl). ROC analysis showed strong diagnostic performance for TF (AUC = 0.989, sensitivity = 96.97%, specificity = 90.63%) and FF (AUC = 0.986, sensitivity = 93.94%, specificity = 90.63%).

Conclusion: Fucose-related parameters, particularly TF and FF, are significantly altered in male leukemia patients and may serve as useful non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers.

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How to Cite
Wais Jaleel, J., & Muhialdin Ahmed, B. . (2026). Altered serum fucose and its diagnostic relevance in newly diagnosed leukemia patients. Zanco Journal of Medical Sciences (ZJMS), 30(1), 179–189. https://doi.org/10.15218/zjms.2026.013

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