High transcript level of FLT3 associated with high risk of relapse in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia.
Identification of prognostic factors and risk-based post-remission therapy was proposed to improve the outcomes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and a mutation of FLT3 has been reported to be a risk factor, especially for pediatric patients. Recently, FLT3 expression level was implicated to have prognostic significance in adults, but little is known for childhood AML. To define the prognostic significance, transcript level of FLT3 was analyzed in 52 pediatric AML patients. The median copy number of FLT3 was 4.6x10(3) (40-5.9x10(7) copies)/1.0x10(6) GAPDH copy, and the relapse free survival of patients with high transcript level of FLT3 (>10(6) copy number) (0%) was significantly lower than that of the others (53.2%). High transcript level of FLT3 was associated with a markedly high risk of relapse. The development of new therapeutic scheme such as a frontline allogeneic stem cell transplantation or administration of FLT3 inhibitor is needed to improve outcomes.
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hyoung Jin
HJ
Kang
Ji Won
JW
Lee
Sang Hyeok
SH
Kho
Min Jeong
MJ
Kim
Young Jin
YJ
Seo
Hyery
H
Kim
Hee Young
HY
Shin
Hyo Seop
HS
Ahn
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009154:Mutation; D036102:Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D051941:fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 / Q000235:genetics*
D051941:fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3