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

ABSTRACT

Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT-1 gene) is overexpressed in most patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is an indicator for minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring, but because the WT-1 gene has relatively low specificity, further studies of the prognostic value of a combination of the WT-1 and other genes are needed. The aim of this study was to explore the prognostic value of the WT-1 gene combined with recurrent cytogenetic genes in AML. In AML, the transcript expression of the WT-1 gene was closely related to leukemic tumor burden and acted as an accurate molecular indicator for MRD detection. Most patients with low expression levels of the WT-1 gene after induction and consolidation therapy were significantly associated with favorable relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), but 17.6% of patients relapsed and died of primary disease. However, when analyzing the WT-1 gene combined with recurrent cytogenetic genes, none of the patients with low expression levels of the WT-1 gene and recurrent cytogenetic genes negative relapsed and died in the median follow-up time of 19 months (range 3-94 months). Thus, the combination of the WT-1 gene and recurrent cytogenetic genes is a more accurate indicator for MRD monitoring and prognosis evaluation in AML patients.