Clinical significance of Gata-1, Gata-2, EKLF, and c-MPL expression in acute myeloid leukemia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological correlation and prognostic impact of Gata-1, Gata-2, EKLF, and c-MPL transcript level in a group of 41 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Gata-1 overexpression was related to advanced age and a low percentage of bone marrow blasts and was associated with the expression of CD34 antigen and lymphoid T markers. The negative impact of Gata-1 expression on the probability of achieving complete remission has been confirmed. Gata-2 overexpression was associated with a low percentage of blasts in BM and males. Expression of c-MPL was associated with CD34+ AML and M2 FAB AML subtype. A higher expression of EKLF was found in secondary AML versus primary AML. Nevertheless, patients expressing EKLF had a longer overall survival and event free survival than those patients that did not express EKLF. Our study has identified expression of EKLF as a factor with a favorable impact on prognosis in AML.