The initial level of MLL-partial tandem duplication affects the clinical outcomes in patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the effects of the initial MLL-partial tandem duplication (PTD) expression levels on clinical outcomes in 36 MLL-PTD-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients between 2014 and 2016. ROC curves showed 1.0% MLL-PTD as the optimal diagnostic cutoff for complete remission (CR). Nineteen and 17 cases had MLL-PTD <1.0% (low-level group) and ≥1.0% (high-level group), respectively. The FAB type distribution (M2 incidence, 100% vs. 53%, p = .003) and double-CEBPA-mutation incidence (37% vs. 0%, p = .008) significantly differed between the groups, as did the CR rates after the first (78.9% vs. 35.3%, p = .008) and second chemotherapies (84.2% vs. 47.1%, p = .001). High MLL-PTD level was the only independent factor affecting the CR rate (odds ratio = 0.16, p = .024). The 24-month overall survival was significantly lower in the high-level group (52.6% vs. 29.4%, p = .043). In conclusion, AML patients with high initial MLL-PTD levels have lower induction CR and survival rates.

Keywords:

• MLL-PTD
• acute myeloid leukemia
• prognosis

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the faculty members who helped with the study.

Potential conflict of interest

Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10428194.2017.1352091

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China [81230013], the Foundation for Innovative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China [81621001], Scientific Research Foundation for Capital Medicine Development [2016-1-4082], the Fund Sponsorship of the Capital Public Health Project [Z131100006813026], and Beijing Key Laboratory for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.