ABSTRACT
This study was aimed to investigate the correlation of 12th exon mutations in the npm1 gene with prognosis of adult AML patients and to explore the relationship of 12th exon mutation with other gene mutations. The specimen of bone marrow and peripheral blood from AML patients, the informations of medical history, symptoms, related image examinations, blood routine examination, NAP, oxygen saturation level in artery blood and EPO level in serum were collected; the bcr/abl fusion gene was detected by routine examination of bone marrow + biopsy + chromosome mapping + FISH. The patients were typed according to WHO classification. The DNA in cells was extracted, the npm1 gene mutation was detected by allele specific PCR combined were the sequencing. The results indicated that the npm1 heterozygote gene mutation was found in 72 out of 150 AML patients with normal cytogenetics (48%, 72/150). 48% patients showed a frameshift mutation in the C-terminal region of the NPM1 protein. The AML patients with npm1 gene mutation had specific clinical, phenotypic and genetic characteristics. The statistical analysis demonstrated the relationship between npm1 and flt3 ITDs. The patients with npm1 mutation showed a better response to induction therapy, furthermore, the overall survival (OS) rate of patients without flt3 ITD mutation was enhanced. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that the npm1 gene mutation and cebpa mutation positively correlated to the OS rate, and the correlation of flt3 mutation to OS rate showed negative. It is concluded that npm1 mutation is a favorable independent prognostic factor for adult AML patients with normal cytogenetics under conditions without FIT3 gene mutation.