Overexpression and oncogenic role of RIPK3 in acute myeloid leukemia associated with specific subtypes and treatment outcome.

BACKGROUND

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse human cancers. However, the role of RIPK3 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is not fully understood, which needs further research and clarification.

METHODS

We first identified the expression and clinical prognostic value of RIPK3 in AML through a public database and further validated in our research cohort. In addition, the biological function of RIPK3 in leukemic development was further verified through in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

Based on the GEPIA database, we screened that RIPK3 overexpression among RIPK family was associated with poor prognosis in AML. Afterwards, another independent cohort from our research center further confirmed the expression pattern of RIPK3 in AML patients. Clinically, increased RIPK3 expression was closely related to specific subtypes of AML, such as FAB-M4/M5, normal karyotype and NPM1 mutation. The significant association of RIPK3 overexpression with FAB-M4/M5 was further validated in AML cell lines. Notably, AML patients with RIPK3 overexpression received transplantation presented a markedly longer survival than those just receiving chemotherapy, whereas those with RIPK3 underexpression showed similar survival between transplantation and chemotherapy group. Bioinformatics analysis showed the significant association of RIPK3 expression with diverse oncogenes/tumor suppressor genes and tumor-related biological processes in AML. Subsequently, we further performed functional experiments in vitro confirmed the potential oncogenic role of RIPK3 in AML.

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpression of RIPK3 was associated with specific subtypes of AML, such as FAB-M4/M5, normal karyotype and NPM1 mutation, and may facilitate the leukemic development. Moreover, RIPK3 overexpression was associated poor prognosis, and may guide treatment choice in AML.