Deoxycytidine kinase and cN‐II nucleotidase expression in blast cells predict survival in acute myeloid leukaemia patients treated with cytarabine

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2003.04386.x
• Publication Date: 2003-06-20T13:49:16Z
• Authors: Carlos María Galm...; Xavier Thomas; Kathryn Graham; Assia El Jafaari; Emeline Cros; Lars Jordheim; John R. Mackey; Charles Dumontet
• Keywords: Deoxycytidine kinase

Summary. The cytotoxic activity of cytarabine (ara‐C) in leukaemic blasts depends on activating enzymes such as deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) and inactivating the 5′‐nucleotidases. We have analysed dCK ‘high‐Km’ 5′‐nucleotidase (cN‐II) mRNA expression by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction at diagnosis from 115 acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients treated with ara‐C. prognostic value these parameters well that cN‐II/dCK ratio was determined. In univariate analyses: (1) low levels dCK, high cN‐II a predicted shorter disease‐free survival (DFS); (2) also overall (OS). multivariate analysis taking into account other clinical laboratory variables: expression, ratio, age ≥ 60 years an unfavourable karyotype were independent factors for DFS; OS. Age, used to define score permitted identification high‐ low‐risk groups. Our results suggest is correlated outcome may play functional role resistance ara‐C AML.