The Prognostic Significance of the BMI-1 and BAALC Genes in Adult Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

AbstractThe aim of this work is to investigate the different expression patterns of B cell-specifics moloney murine Leukemia virus integration site-1 (BMI-1) and brain and acute leukemia, cytoplasmic (BAALC) genes, their prognostic and clinical significance in newly diagnosed cytogenetically heterogenous adult acute myeloid leukemia patients. BMI-1 and BAALC expression was detected in the bone marrow of patients using quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with cut off value set at 50th percentile for both genes. BMI-1 and BAALC overexpression was detected in 50% of cases which suggest their potential as molecular markers. A statistical significant correlation was found between BMI-1 expression with hepatomegaly (P value  = 0.007), hemoglobin level-grouped (P value  = 0.047) and cytogenetic risk groups (P value  = 0.036). There was a statistically significant correlation between BAALC and age (P value  = 0.015), lymphadenopathy (P value  = 0.043), CD34 expression (P value  = 0.003) and near statistical significance with FAB sub-groups (P value  = 0.054). No statistical significance was noted for other hematological findings and response to treatment except forBAALC gene and treatment response (P value  = 0.014). No statistical significance in overall survival and disease free survival for both genes was found. Their prospective screening in combination with other molecular markers can help refine myeloid leukemia...
Source: Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion - Category: Hematology Source Type: research