title: CXCR4 expression accounts for clinical phenotype and outcome in acute myeloid leukemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), CXCR4 expression has been correlated with leukocytosis and prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We quantified CXCR4 expression by flow cytometry on leukemic cells in 142 AML patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We confirm a correlation between high CXCR4 expression and leukemic burden. Furthermore, we documented a correlation with platelet count, dysplastic megakaryopoiesis, hepato-splenomegaly and extra-hematological disease. NPM1-mutated AML displayed a significantly higher intensity of CXCR4 compared to NPM1-wt cases: it is conceivable its clinical phenotype to be driven by high CXCR4 expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CXCR4 expression resulted in an independent prognostic factor. Our data support CXCR4 targeting as a potential therapeutic strategy.
authors: UF di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università degli Studi, Firenze, and Istituto Toscano Tumori, Florence, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Mannelli
authors: Ilaria
authors: I
authors: Cutini
authors: Giacomo
authors: G
authors: Gianfaldoni
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Bencini
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Scappini
authors: Fabiana
authors: F
authors: Pancani
authors: Vanessa
authors: V
authors: Ponziani
authors: Maria Ida
authors: MI
authors: Bonetti
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: Biagiotti
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Longo
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Bosi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006529:Hepatomegaly; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D000090243:Nucleophosmin; D010641:Phenotype; D010976:Platelet Count; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013163:Splenomegaly; D034061:Thrombopoiesis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; C527276:CXCR4 protein, human; C000716967:NPM1 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4; D000090243:Nucleophosmin
keywords: CXCR4; NPM1; acute myeloid leukemia; immunophenotype; prognosis