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URL http://www.rockymountainbmt.com/news/Acute-myeloid-leukemia-AML-could-be-prognosticated-by-the-size-of-FLT3-internal-tandem-duplication-FLT3ITD-2843.html

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) could be prognosticated by the size of FLT3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3/ITD)

08-22-2006

According to a study from the United States, "FLT3/ITDs in the juxtamembrane domain are found in approximately 25% of AML patients, ranging in size from 3 to hundreds of nucleotides. We examined whether the sizes of FLT3/ITDs were associated with clinical outcomes in 151 AML patients enrolled in Southwest Oncology Group studies: S9333 and S9500."

"FLT3/ITDs were identified in 32% of patients (median ITD size=39 nucleotides; range, 15-153 nucleotides). The CR rates were 35%, 67%, and 52% for patients with large (<40), small (<40), and no ITDs, respectively (p=.19). Increasing ITD size was associated with decreasing OS (estimated 5-year OS: large=13%, small=26%, and no ITD=21%, p=.072) and RFS (estimated 5-year RFS: large=13%, small=27%, and no ITD=34%, p=.017)," explained D.L. Stirewalt and colleagues, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

The researchers concluded, "These studies suggest that ITD size may have prognostic significance."

Stirewalt and colleagues published the results of their research in Blood (Size of FLT3 internal tandem duplication has prognostic significance in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Blood, 2006;107(9):3724-3726).

For additional information, contact D.L. Stirewalt, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Division Clinic Research, D5-380, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.