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Clinical impact of internal tandem duplications and activating point mutations in FLT3 in acute myeloid leukemia in elderly patients
Author(s) -
Andersson Anna,
Johansson Bertil,
Lassen Carin,
Mitelman Felix,
Billström Rolf,
Fioretos Thoas
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
european journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1600-0609
pISSN - 0902-4441
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0609.2004.00225.x
Subject(s) - myeloid leukemia , point mutation , medicine , leukemia , myeloid , mutation , cancer research , genetics , immunology , biology , gene
Background: The FLT3 gene is frequently mutated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), either by an internal tandem duplication (ITD) of the juxtamembrane domain or by activating point mutations in the second tyrosine kinase domain (ATKD). Only a few investigations have focused on the prognostic significance of FLT3 alterations in AML among the elderly, yielding conflicting results. In the present study, the frequency and clinical relevance of FLT3 abnormalities were ascertained in a cohort of elderly AML patients. Patients and methods: A total of 109 AMLs, occurring in patients above the age of 60 yr (median 71.5), were investigated. DNA was extracted from fresh bone marrow cells or from cells in fixative and investigated for the presence of ITD of exons 14 and 15 and the ATKD D835 in exon 20. Results: ITDs and ATKDs were identified in 20 (18%) and 11 (10%) of the cases, respectively. Three cases displayed both an ITD and an ATKD. FLT3 abnormalities were associated with leukocytosis (ITD P < 0.01; ATKD P = 0.069), and the monocytic FAB subtypes M4 and M5 [ITD ( P < 0.05), ATKD ( P = 0.05)], and ITD and ATKD were significantly ( P < 0.05) more common in cases with a normal karyotype. There was no correlation between the presence of FLT3 abnormalities and complete remission rates or overall survival. Conclusion: A correlation was observed between FLT3 abnormalities and leukocytosis, a normal karyotype, and the M4/M5 subtypes of leukemia. However, no clear‐cut prognostic impact of FLT3 abnormalities was identified in elderly AML patients.