title: Increased C-kit intensity is a poor prognostic factor for progression-free and overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed AML.
abstract: C-kit, a tyrosine kinase receptor, is expressed on most myeloid blasts and is thought to be important in the pathogenesis of AML. Activation of the c-kit receptor leads to phosphorylation and activation of downstream signaling proteins, which are important for cell survival and proliferation. Here, we discuss the prognostic impact of c-kit intensity, measured using the mean fluorescent index (MFI) in patients with newly diagnosed AML. On multivariate analysis, c-kit MFI>20.3 correlated with a decreased progression-free survival and overall survival, independent of known prognostic factors (age, white blood count at diagnosis and cytogenetics). Whether inhibiting c-kit in patients with AML will alter prognosis is the basis of ongoing clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Taussig Cancer Center, Leukemia Program, The Cleveland Clinic CCF, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. advania@ccf.org
authors.forename: Anjali S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Advani
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Rony Abou
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Jawde
authors.forename: Wael
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Saber
authors.forename: Rachid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baz
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalaycio
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sobecks
authors.forename: Mikkael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sekeres
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tripp
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hsi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit