Cytogenetic and Molecular Genetic Prognostic Factors of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The review presents data on the diagnostic and prognostic value of cytogenetic and molecular genetic markers of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It demonstrates that some cases, different types of AML subdivided on the basis of clinical and morphological characteristics earlier may be distinguished based on identification of specific genetic and chromosomal defects. However, some repeated chromosomal abnormalities may be detected in AML patients that may be assigned to different variants based in clinical and morphocytochemical signs. At present, it is widely accepted that changes in the karyotype are the key prognostic factors which are more important than criteria based on morphological and cytochemical signs. Therefore, the risk-adaptive therapy of AML should be chosen based on the cytogenetic test findings. The review contains a section discussing gene mutations known to date that may affect the AML treatment outcome.