Prognostic factors in acute myeloid leukemia.
OBJECTIVE
Cytogenetics offers the most important prognostic information at both presentation and relapse. However, this classification appears to be insufficient, especially for patients presenting with standard-risk cytogenetics, whose relapse risk is variable. Other prognostic factors, stratifying this heterogeneous group of patients into more clearly defined risk groups, are warranted.


RESULTS
Several molecular markers have been described that predict for long-term outcome in this heterogeneous group of patients; however, there is as yet no consensus as to the prognostic significance of each. Time to morphologic and molecular remission may also be important; however, further studies are warranted to establish their prognostic role in acute myeloid leukemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Much has been learnt over the past decade and a better understanding of disease biology, determined by gene expression profiling and proteomic analyses, may help to target therapy and improve the outcome.
Avivi
Irit
I
Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Rambam Medical Center, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel.i_avivi@rambam.health.gov.il
Rowe
Jacob M
JM
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis / Q000379:methods; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D040901:Proteomics; D012307:Risk Factors
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor