Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease with different clinical course and prognosis. microRNA-29 (miR-29) family of non-coding small RNAs can play an important role in pathogenesis of AML, but also can influence response to therapy.The purpose of the study was to evaluate miR-29c expression in AML patients in relationship to clinical parameters and response to chemotherapy, including azacitidine.
Materials and methods: miR-29c expression has been analyzed using RT-PCR in 95 bone marrow specimens from newly diagnosed AML patients in comparison to 20 healthy subject.
Results: We showed up-regulated miR-29c expression in AML patients which was linked also to higher risk of disease relapse after achieving complete remission. In subset of elderly AML patients treated with azacitidine, low miR-29c expression at diagnosis correlated with good response to therapy.
Conclusions: miR-29c is of prognostic value and influences response to azacitidine treatment in older AML patients.
Keywords: acute myeloid leukemia; azacitidine; expression; miR-29c; response to therapy.