title: The clinical relevance of Wilms Tumour 1 (WT1) gene mutations in acute leukaemia.
abstract: Recurrent genetic aberrations are important predictors of outcome in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Numerous novel molecular abnormalities have been identified and investigated in recent years adding to the risk stratification and prognostication of conventional karyotyping. Mutations in the Wilms Tumour 1 (WT1) gene were first described more than a decade ago but their clinical significance has only recently been evaluated. WT1 mutations occur in approximately 10% of adult AML patients at diagnosis and are most frequent in the cytogenetically normal (CN) AML subgroup. These mutations appear to confer a negative prognostic outcome by increasing the risk of relapse and death. Mutation frequency is higher in pediatric patients and also appears to confer a negative impact on relapse and survival. Herein, we discuss the importance of WT1 mutations in AML.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Hematological Malignancies, University of Calgary, 601A South Tower, Foothills Medical Centre, 1403-29th Street NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 2T9, Canada. carolyn.owen@albertahealthservices.ca
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Jude
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fitzgibbon
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paschka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016162:Genes, Wilms Tumor; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis; D025721:WT1 Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D025721:WT1 Proteins