Conclusion
Further larger study should be conducted to verify that high PRDM16 and low HOXB4 gene expressions could be used as a poor prognostic predictor for AML. The correlation between PRDM16 and HOXB4 gene expressions and FLT3-ITD and NPM1 exon 12 mutations might have a role on CR, relapse, OS, and, however, this should be clarified in analysis with a larger number of samples.
Methods
This study included 83 de novo AML adult patients. All patients were subjected to clinical, morphological, cytochemical, and molecular analysis to detect HOXB4 and PRDM16 gene expressions and FLT3-ITD, NPM1 exon 12 mutations.
Results
The results showed that a low expression of HOXB4 was found in 31.3% of AML patients, whereas a high expression of PRDM16 was evident in 33.8% of AML patients. FLT3-ITD mutations were detected in 6 patients (7.2%), while NPM1 exon 12 mutations were detected in 7 patients (19.4%) out of 36 patients with intermediate genetic risk. Out of the 50 patients who achieved complete remission (CR), relapse occurred in 16% of the cases. Low expression of HOXB4 and high expression of PRDM16 were associated with CR of 32% and 28%, respectively, and a short overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).