Background

Serum ferritin (SF), a test that measures body's iron stores and inflammation, has been established as a worthwhile prognostic impact indicator for myelodysplastic syndromes, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Thus, we sought to conduct a meta-analysis on the significance of SF in the prognosis of AML patients receiving treatment.

Methods

In May 2024, a PRISMA-compliant search for relevant studies until May 2024 was conducted. This search was based on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. Pooled Hazard Ratios of survival rates in AML patients based on their SF levels and 95% CIs were utilized as effect sizes. A Review Manager software was utilized for all data analyses.

Results

Five studies with an overall sample of 1237 clinically diagnosed AML patients, De novo or secondary AML, were pooled. Pooled results from the studies showed a poor prognostic association in terms of overall survival (OS) with high SF (> 800 µg/L) level, with a pooled Hazard Ratio of (HR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.45 - 2.77). Moreover, four out of five studies compared survival rates for Progression Free Survival, Disease Free Survival (DFS), Recurrence Free Survival (RFS), and Event-Free Survival (EFS). Despite the significant heterogeneity, a pooled HR still showed a poorer prognostic association between high SF and AML (HR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.29 - 2.75).

Conclusion

Elevated SF levels have been associated with adverse effects on the prognosis of AML patients.

Disclosures

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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2024
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