[WT1 gene expression in leukemia patients and its correlation with prognosis and multidrug resistance].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the value of expression of WT1 gene in predicting the prognosis of leukemia patients, and explore the relationship between WT1 gene expression and multidrug resistance and cell apoptosis.

METHODS

Expressions of WT1, MRP and mdr1 were measured in 68 leukemia patients by RT-PCR method. Expression of bcl-2 was measured in 32 AML patients by immunofluorescence flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Expression of WT1 was revealed in 36 of 68 leukemia patients and none of 23 normal controls. Complete remission rate (59.46%) was lower in WT1 positive patients than that (87.10%, P = 0.011) in WT1 negative patients. The rate of MRP expression was also higher in patients with WT1 expression (58.33%), than in those without WT1 expression (32.26%, P = 0.033). Thirty-two AML patients were divided into high-, intermediate-, and low-risk groups according to the expression of WT1 and bcl-2. CR rates were significantly different among these 3 groups (33.33% for high-, 47.37% for intermediate-, and 100% for low-risk group, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The expression of WT1 can predict the treatment outcome and the prognosis for leukemia patients. Expression of WT1 is the most important risk factor, and the coexpression of WT1 and bcl-2 predicts poor prognosis of AML patients.