FLT3 ligand is a novel hematopoietoic growth factor which acts as a ligand for the tyrosin kinas receptor FLT3.
The primary role of FLT3 ligand is in hematopoietoic system appears to be the maintenance and stimulation of proliferation of hematopoietoic stem and progenitor cells. By itself FLT3 ligand dose not have strong stimulatory effects on hematopoietoic cells , but it synergizes well with a number of other hematopoietoic growth factors.
In this work a sensitive ELISA used for measuring serum FLT3 ligand levels in AML patients at time of presentation and two weeks after chemotherapy.
There was no significant difference in serum FLT3 ligand levels between patients of AML at time of presentation and controls.
Ther was highly significant increase in serum FLT3 ligand level after chemo therapy.