title: Assessment of WT1 Expression as a Marker of Treatment Outcome in Karyotype Normal Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients in Pakistan.
abstract: Currently, there is an effort to predict relapse by follow-up monitoring of MRD and subsequently to begin the treatment of the patients during their clinical and hematological remission prior to overt hematological relapse. Expression of WT1 in AML is known to be independently associated with significant inferior response to therapy and short survival outcome. Follow-up monitoring of WT1 gene expression during or after therapy would be a valuable predictive marker for early recurrence or relapse of AML disease. This pilot study evaluated newly diagnosed and post-induction or consolidation chemotherapy of AML patients who were registered with the Oncology Clinics of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. High WT1 burden (> 5000 copies/ml) in 2 patients was indicative of early recurrence of the disease along with shorter disease-free and overall survival. Low WT1 expression (< 200 copies/ml) in 2 patients after induction and consolidation therapy, respectively, was suggestive of better prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Zeeshan Ansar
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Muhammad Shariq
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Shaikh
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moatter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015973:Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D059785:Karyotype; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010154:Pakistan; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012008:Recurrence; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D025721:WT1 Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005819:Genetic Markers; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D025721:WT1 Proteins