Molecular signatures in acute myeloid leukemia.
OBJECTIVE
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity with respect to chromosome abnormalities, gene mutations and changes in expression of multiple genes and microRNAs. In this article, we review the results of recent studies of AML that used microarray-based genome-wide gene-expression and microRNA-expression profiling.


RESULTS
Genome-wide analyses of gene expression and microRNA expression have revealed AML signatures that are closely associated with some, but not all, cytogenetic and molecular genetic subsets, helped in identification of novel biologic subtypes and led to characterization of molecular pathways involved in leukemogenesis. For some AML categories, namely core-binding factor AML and/or cytogenetically normal AML, gene-expression and microRNA-expression profiling provided prognostic information additional to that obtained from cytogenetics and analyses of gene mutations and single gene expression changes.


CONCLUSIONS
Gene-expression and microRNA-expression profiling not only has the potential to enhance our understanding of the disease biology, but also appears to constitute an applicable approach for outcome prediction and identification of novel therapeutic targets.
Mrózek
Krzysztof
K
Department of Internal Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, 43210-1228, USA. krzysztof.mrozek@osumc.edu
Radmacher
Michael D
MD
Bloomfield
Clara D
CD
Marcucci
Guido
G
D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000235:genetics*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D035683:MicroRNAs