Complex karyotypes confer a poor survival in adult acute myeloid leukemia with unfavorable cytogenetic abnormalities.
Cytogenetics represents the most valuable predictor for a poor outcome in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but it encompasses a heterogeneous patient population who might have diverse pathogenesis and clinical courses. In particular, the significance of complex chromosome aberrations within this cohort has seldom been addressed before. We analyzed 48 AML patients with adverse-risk cytogenetics in this study. The complex karyotype (three or more numerical/structural cytogenetic changes; 29 patients) was found to occur more frequently among the elderly than a noncomplex adverse karyotype (19 patients; median age, 71 vs. 48; P = 0.005). The patients' performance status was the sole independent factor determining the complete remission rate among patients receiving standard induction chemotherapy. On survival analysis, two factors independently predicted a longer overall survival: noncomplex karyotypes [vs. complex karyotypes, hazard ratio (HR) 0.434, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.189-0.994, P = 0.048] and achievement of complete remission [(CR) vs. CR not reached, HR 0.170, 95% CI 0.051-0.572, P = 0.004)]. In conclusion, among AML patients with adverse cytogenetics, complex chromosomal aberrations occurred more frequently among the elderly and predicted a poor outcome. These patients should be considered as a unique entity and be separated from those with a noncomplex adverse cytogenetic change. Exploring the underlying mechanisms of leukemogenesis could improve the therapeutic outcome for this group of patients.
Chen
Chih-Cheng
CC
Division of Hematology Oncology, department of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 6, Sec. West, Chia-Pu Rd., Pu-Tz City, Chiayi, 613 Taiwan.
Yang
Ching-Fen
CF
Lee
Kuan-Der
KD
You
Jie-Yu
JY
Yu
Yuan-Bin
YB
Ho
Chao-Hung
CH
Tzeng
Cheng-Hwai
CH
Chau
Wing-Keung
WK
Hsu
Hui-Chi
HC
Gau
Jyh-Pyng
JP
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D007621:Karyotyping; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome