Clinical and prognostic impact of EVI1 gene expression in acute myeloid leukemia

• Grant number: 18/23920-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2019
• End date: April 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Fabíola Traina
• Grantee: Luís Eduardo Moreira Martins
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the ninth most prevalent cancer in Brazil and represents a heterogeneous group of diseases. Expansion (e20 %) of the bone marrow or peripheral blood myeloblastic progenitor is diagnostic criterion for AML. For diagnosis and risk stratification, peripheral blood and bone marrow smear analysis, immunophenotyping and karyotype are needed. Genetic alterations, such as chromosome deletions and translocations, gene mutations, polymorphisms and expression, have a proven impact on the prognosis of the disease and are used for prognosis. High EVI1 gene expression, located on chromosome 3q26, specially some isoforms, leads to poor prognosis in AML patients. The majority of studies in EVI1 expression in AML have been conducted in European populations and conclusions remains still restricted, it is important to approach the gene expression of EVI1 and its prognostic impact in the Brazilian population based on a sufficiently relevant sample of patients. The aim of this study is to investigate EVI1 gene expression in bone marrow samples from patients with AML attending in the Hospital das Clínicas of the Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, to correlate EVI1 gene expression with clinical variables and to evaluate the impact of EVI1 expression in prognosis. Gene expression will be assessed through real-time PCR. For associations analysis, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney or Kurskall-Wallis will be used as appropriate. The Log-rank test (Mantel-Cox) will be used for estimates of overall survival and disease-free survival.