BAALC is an important predictor of refractoriness to chemotherapy and poor survival in intermediate-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Ann Hematol. 2010 May;89(5):453-8. doi: 10.1007/s00277-009-0864-x. Epub 2009 Nov 27.

Abstract

We have analyzed brain and acute leukemia, cytoplasmic (BAALC) gene expression and other genetic markers (ERG, EVI1, MN1, PRAME, WT1, FLT3, and NPM1 mutations) in 127 intermediate-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients: 98 cytogenetically normal and 29 with intermediate-risk cytogenetic alterations. High versus low BAALC expressers showed a higher refractoriness to induction treatment (31% vs 10%; p = .005), lower complete remission rate after salvage therapy (82% vs 97%; p = .010), and lower 3-year overall (23% vs 58%, p < .001) and relapse-free survival (26% vs 52%, p = .006). Similar results were found when cytogenetic subgroups were analyzed separately. Multivariate models confirmed the unfavorable prognosis of this marker. In conclusion, BAALC is a relevant prognostic marker in intermediate-risk AML.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / biosynthesis*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / metabolism*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / mortality
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Nucleophosmin
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Risk Factors
  • Survival Rate / trends
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • BAALC protein, human
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • NPM1 protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nucleophosmin