Abstract
Abstract 4648
PIM-2 is a proto-oncogene that encodes for serine/threonine kinase which interacts with various signalling molecules. PIM-2 is highly expressed in neoplastic tissues and in leukaemic and lymphoma cell lines which is consistent with a its role during oncogenic transformation. The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway appears to be deregulated in variety of tumors, with sustained activity of NF-κB leading to apoptotic resistance in tumor cells
The aim of this study was to investigate whether the PIM-2 and NF-κB expression is altered in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Patients and methods. One hundred fourty-three patients were included: 91 with AML and 52 with ALL (42 with B-ALL and 10 with T-ALL), aged 18–84 (median=41). Seventy-five patients reached complete remission (CR): 50 in AML and 25 in ALL. Bone marrow samples were collected at the time of diagnosis. Control samples were obtained from 24 healthy donors. We analysed PIM-2 and NF-κB expression by RQ-PCR analysis.
Expression of both PIM-2 and NF-κB in all leukaemic patients and in subgroups: AML and ALL was significantly higher than in controls. In AML group patients who reached CR expressed PIM-2 and NF-κB at significantly lower levels than patients with primary resistance to chemotherapy (with no CR, NCR). Moreover in AML, we have found the correlation between PIM-2, NF-κB expression and blasts in myelogram and PIM-2 and patients‘ age.
Our data indicate that PIM-2 and NF-κB genes expression is increased in patients with AML and ALL and correlates with CR rate in AML patients.
No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Author notes
Asterisk with author names denotes non-ASH members.
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