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CDKN2B methylation is an independent poor prognostic factor in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia

Leukemia volume 20, pages 149–151 (2006)Cite this article

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by t(15;17), and the chimeric gene PML/RARA.1 All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is highly effective for newly diagnosed cases, while arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is efficacious in relapses. The use of ATRA induction has resulted in superior disease-free survival (DFS) compared to chemotherapy.1 The optimal combination of ATRA with chemotherapy for induction, consolidation and maintenance has rendered APL potentially curable. However, up to 20% of patients may still relapse. Prognostic factors negatively affecting DFS include high presentation leucocyte count (>10 × 109/l) and low platelet count (<40 × 109/l), male gender and CD56 expression.1 A therapeutic strategy that intensifies treatment based on risk factor stratification has been shown to improve the DFS and overall survival (OS).2 Thus, the continued identification of prognostic factors in APL may have significant impacts on outcome.

We have shown previously that CDKN2B (alias p15) methylation was associated with an inferior DFS.3 Recently, Teofili et al.4 have also reported a negative prognostic impact of CDKN2B methylation. Our previous study involved patients receiving heterogeneously ATRA or chemotherapy for induction.3 In this report, we examined the prognostic significance of CDKN2B methylation in patients uniformly treated with ATRA induction.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by the S.K. Yee Medical Foundation.

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  1. Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Professorial Block, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong

    C-S Chim & Y-L Kwong

  2. Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong

    J S Lau & K-F Wong

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  1. C-S Chim
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  2. J S Lau
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Chim, CS., Lau, J., Wong, KF. et al. CDKN2B methylation is an independent poor prognostic factor in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia. Leukemia 20, 149–151 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2404052

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