Expression of BCL2L12 gene in de novo acute myeloid leukemia and its clinical implications / 中华医学遗传学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the expression of BCL2L12 gene and its clinical significance for de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) was employed to measure the expression of BCL2L12 gene in 134 patients with de novo AML. The results were correlated with clinical features of patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BCL2L12 gene transcript was determined for 134 AML patients and 49 healthy controls, with the median levels measured 0.1029 (0.0119-26.4090) and 0.2677 (0.0173-1.2858), respectively. There was a significant difference in the strength of BCL2L12 gene expression between patients and normal controls (P < 0.01). Those with lower BCL2L12 expression levels had a higher FLT3-ITD mutation rate compared with those with higher levels (27% vs. 5%, P = 0.036). Relapsed or refractory AML patients had lower expression compared with newly diagnosed patients (0.0873 vs. 0.1359, P = 0.014). There was no difference in overall survival (OS) between patients with higher and lower expression levels. However, for AML patients with a normal karyotype, the OS for those with lower expression was significant shorter (P = 0.037).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>De novo AML patients have a lower level of BCL2L12 gene expression. AML patients with lower BCL2L12 expression have a higher FLT3-ITD mutation rate, and most of them are relapse or refractory patients. In addition, among patients with a normal karyotype, those with a lower BCL2L12 expression have a shorter OS. Therefore, expression of the BCL2L12 gene may be used as a prognostic marker for AML patients with a normal karyotype.</p>