Background: In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), CXCR4 expression has been correlated with leukocytosis and prognosis.
Methods: We quantified CXCR4 expression by flow cytometry on leukemic cells in 142 AML patients.
Results: We confirm a correlation between high CXCR4 expression and leukemic burden. Furthermore, we documented a correlation with platelet count, dysplastic megakaryopoiesis, hepato-splenomegaly and extra-hematological disease. NPM1-mutated AML displayed a significantly higher intensity of CXCR4 compared to NPM1-wt cases: it is conceivable its clinical phenotype to be driven by high CXCR4 expression.
Conclusions: CXCR4 expression resulted in an independent prognostic factor. Our data support CXCR4 targeting as a potential therapeutic strategy.
Keywords: CXCR4; NPM1; acute myeloid leukemia; immunophenotype; prognosis.
© 2014 Clinical Cytometry Society.