title: Deoxycytidine kinase and cN-II nucleotidase expression in blast cells predict survival in acute myeloid leukaemia patients treated with cytarabine.
abstract: The cytotoxic activity of cytarabine (ara-C) in leukaemic blasts depends on activating enzymes such as deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) and inactivating enzymes such as the 5'-nucleotidases. We have analysed dCK and 'high-Km' 5'-nucleotidase (cN-II) mRNA expression by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction at diagnosis in leukaemic blasts from 115 acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients treated with ara-C. The prognostic value of these parameters as well as that of the cN-II/dCK ratio was determined. In univariate analyses: (1) low levels of dCK, high levels of cN-II and a high cN-II/dCK ratio predicted shorter disease-free survival (DFS); (2) low levels of dCK and cN-II/dCK ratio also predicted shorter overall survival (OS). In a multivariate analysis taking into account other clinical and laboratory variables: (1) high cN-II expression, a high cN-II/dCK ratio, age >/= 60 years and an unfavourable karyotype were independent prognostic factors for DFS; and (2) a high cN-II/dCK ratio, age >/= 60 years and an unfavourable karyotype predicted shorter OS. Age, karyotype and cN-II/dCK ratio were used to define a prognostic score that permitted the identification of high- and low-risk groups. Our results suggest that dCK and cN-II mRNA expression in leukaemic blasts at diagnosis is correlated with clinical outcome and may play a functional role in the resistance to ara-C in patients with AML.
authors.affiliation: Unité INSERM 590, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France. cmgalma@yahoo.com.ar
authors.forename: Carlos María
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Galmarini
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Assia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Jafaari
authors.forename: Emeline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cros
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jordheim
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mackey
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dumontet
mesh_terms: D015720:5'-Nucleotidase / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003842:Deoxycytidine Kinase / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D003561:Cytarabine; D003842:Deoxycytidine Kinase; D015720:5'-Nucleotidase