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By combining the analysis of mutations with aberrant expression of genes previously related to poorer prognosis in both acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and acute myeloid leukemia, we arrived at an integrative score in APL (ISAPL) and demonstrated its relationship with clinical outcomes of patients treated with all- trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in combination with anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Based on fms-like tyrosine kinase-3-internal tandem duplication mutational status; the ΔNp73/TAp73 expression ratio; and ID1 , BAALC , ERG , and KMT2E gene expression levels, we modeled ISAPL in 159 patients (median ISAPL score, 3; range, 0-10). ISAPL modeling identified 2 distinct groups of patients, with significant differences in early mortality ( P < .001), remission ( P = .004), overall survival ( P < .001), cumulative incidence of relapse ( P = .028), disease-free survival ( P = .03), and event-free survival ( P < .001). These data were internally validated by using a bootstrap resampling procedure. At least for patients treated with ATRA and anthracycline-based chemotherapy, ISAPL modeling may identify those who need to be treated differently to maximize their chances for a cure., (© 2019 by The American Society of Hematology.)

The TP73 gene transcript is alternatively spliced and translated into the transcriptionally active (TAp73) or inactive (ΔNp73) isoforms, with opposite effects on the expression of p53 target genes and on apoptosis induction. The imbalance between ΔNp73 and TAp73 may contribute to tumorigenesis and resistance to chemotherapy in human cancers, including hematologic malignancies. In acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), both isoforms are expressed, but their relevance in determining response to therapy and contribution to leukemogenesis remains unknown. Here, we provide the first evidence that a higher ΔNp73/TAp73 RNA expression ratio is associated with lower survival, lower disease-free survival, and higher risk of relapse in patients with APL homogeneously treated with all-trans retinoic acid and anthracycline-based chemotherapy, according to the International Consortium on Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (IC-APL) study. Cox proportional hazards modeling showed that a high ΔNp73/TAp73 ratio was independently associated with shorter overall survival (hazard ratio, 4.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.64-12.2; P = .0035). Our data support the hypothesis that the ΔNp73/TAp73 ratio is an important determinant of clinical response in APL and may offer a therapeutic target for enhancing chemosensitivity in blast cells., (© 2015 by The American Society of Hematology.)

Thanks to modern treatment with all-trans retinoic acid and chemotherapy, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is now the most curable type of leukemia. However, this progress has not yielded equivalent benefit in developing countries. The International Consortium on Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (IC-APL) was established to create a network of institutions in developing countries that would exchange experience and data and receive support from well-established US and European cooperative groups. The IC-APL formulated expeditious diagnostic, treatment, and supportive guidelines that were adapted to local circumstances. APL was chosen as a model disease because of the potential impact on improved diagnosis and treatment. The project included 4 national coordinators and reference laboratories, common clinical record forms, 5 subcommittees, and laboratory and data management training programs. In addition, participating institutions held regular virtual and face-to-face meetings. Complete hematological remission was achieved in 153/180 (85%) patients and 27 (15%) died during induction. After a median follow-up of 28 months, the 2-year cumulative incidence of relapse, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were 4.5%, 80%, and 91%, respectively. The establishment of the IC-APL network resulted in a decrease of almost 50% in early mortality and an improvement in OS of almost 30% compared with historical controls, resulting in OS and DFS similar to those reported in developed countries.

Background: The expression of CD56 is considered a bad prognostic factor for overall survival, lower rates or short complete remission and extramedullary invasion but the results are controversial. The importance of validating new prognostic parameters in acute leukemias was the reason to investigate the CD56 expression in blast cells of patients with acute myeloid leukemia., Methods: A cohort of 48 patients treated at Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre and diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia as classified by the French-American-British group (FAB) criteria using cell morphology, cytochemistry and flow cytometry were evaluated., Results: Eight cases (16.7%) were CD56 positive without correlation to age or gender. The highest incidence of CD56 positivity was in FAB subtypes M4 and M5. The death rate during induction was not significantly different between patients with and without CD56 expression (62.5% vs. 27.5%; p-value = 0.097). However, patients that expressed CD56 had significantly lower overall survival than those who did not (mean 4.0 months vs. 14.5 months; p-value = 0.03)., Conclusions: The data suggest that expression of CD56 in acute myeloid leukemia may be indicative of poor prognosis because it is associated with a shorter overall survival. The death rate during induction was not significantly different despite an apparent difference in proportions between groups.