Fc gamma receptor expression serves as prognostic and diagnostic factor in AML

Abstract

Risk assessment in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) mainly relies on (cyto-)genetic and morphologic features. Nonetheless, further markers are needed to allow for accurate risk stratification. Type I Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) such as CD16, CD32, and CD64 play an important role in mediating immunomodulatory functions in different myeloid cell types as well as NK and B cells. We here evaluated expression of the three FcγR on peripheral blood AML blasts. Using flow cytometry, we found heterogeneous expression of the FcγR throughout the patient cohort. Correlation of expression levels with disease outcome revealed significantly shorter OS in patients with CD16⁺ blasts at first diagnosis. CD32 and CD64 expression showed no association with survival but correlated with a mature phenotype and FAB M6. Our data provide clear evidence for the value of immunophenotyping FcγR expression on leukemic cells using peripheral blood, which is rapidly available and improves risk stratification in AML.

Keywords:

• Acute myeloid leukemia
• CD16
• CD32
• CD64
• Fc gamma receptor
• risk assessment

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Valentina Agrusa for expert technical assistance.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft under Grant SA1360/7-3; Wilhelm Sander-Stiftung under Grant 2007.115.3; Deutsche Krebshilfe under Grant 111828; Deutsche Krebshilfe under Grant 70112914; Deutsche Krebshilfe under Grant 70113496; and Germany’s Excellence Strategy under Grant EXC 2180/1.