Use of molecular markers to determine postremission treatment in acute myeloid leukemia with normal cytogenetics

BCL11A and MDR1 expressions have prognostic impact in patients with acute myeloid leukemia treated with chemotherapy

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous malignant disease. Many different genetic factors can affect a patient’s clinical outcome. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the expression of BCL11A and MDR1 in AML patients, and its relation to clinical outcome. Materials & methods: We grouped the 142 patients by the levels of BCL11A and MDR1 and identified three different subgroups: high BCL11A and high MDR1 (n = 47), low BCL11A and low MDR1 (n = 47) and high BCL11A alone or high MDR1 alone (n = 48). Results: The results showed that AML patients with high BCL11A and MDR1 expression had the lowest complete remission and highest relapse rate. The median overall survival of the high BCL11A and high MDR1 group was the shortest among the three groups. With regards to overall survival, there were also significant differences among the groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: High BCL11A and MDR1 expression was associated with a poor response to chemotherapy, and identified a subset of AML patients with a very poor prognosis.