Prognostic value of WT-1 gene combined with recurrent cytogenetic gene in acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Abstract Background: Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT-1 gene) is overexpressed in most patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and provides the evidence for an indicator of minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring, but further studies of the combined prognostic value of WT-1 gene are needed to be illustrated due to its relatively low specificity. The aim of the study is to explore the prognostic value of WT-1 gene combined with recurrent cytogenetic gene in AML. Methods: We dynamically examined the transcript expression of WT-1 gene in the bone marrow samples of adult patients with AML, and then validated the prognostic value of WT-1 gene with or without recurrent cytogenetic gene. Results: In AML, the transcript expression of WT-1 gene was closely related to leukemic tumor burden and could act as an accurate indicator of molecular MRD detection. Most patients with low level expression of WT-1 gene after induction and consolidation therapy were significantly associated with favorable relapse free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), but there were still 16.7% patients were relapsed and died of primary disease. However, when analyzing of WT-1 gene combined with recurrent cytogenetic gene, none of the patients with low level expression of WT-1 gene and negative of recurrent cytogenetic gene were relapsed and died in the median follow-up time of 19 months (range: 3-94months). Conclusion: WT-1 gene combined with recurrent cytogenetic gene is a more accurate indicator of MRD monitoring and prognosis evaluation in AML.