IKZF1 alterations and expression of CRLF2 predict prognosis in adult Chinese patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a common hematological malignancy in children, with a prognosis much worse in adults. The molecular characterization of ALL and its correlated prognostic significance are largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the frequency of IKZF1 deletions, IK6 isoform, and CRLF2 overexpression in 118 Chinese adult B-cell precursor ALL (B-ALL) patients to explore their associations with clinical prognosis. Our data showed that IKZF1 deletions and IK6 isoform were highly detected in adult patients, and both of them were related with worse prognosis in Ph B-ALL, HR group of Ph B-ALL, and/or B-ALL patients. Though the frequency of CRLF2 overexpression was similar to children, it had an independent prognostic significance for standard-risk and Ph adult patients. Our study provided insights into the prognostic significance of certain genetic features in B-ALL patients. Further therapeutic strategies targeting these abnormalities potentially improving the prognosis of B-ALL are warranted.