Abstract 5569: DNA methylation status of MLH1, p16, SOCS1, ER and CDH1 in Puerto Rican patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Abstract Background: DNA methylation of gene promoters have been show to play a role in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We present in this study a preliminary report of the methylation status of MLH1, p16, SOCS1, ER and CDH1 in Puerto Rican patients with AML. Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained from 24 patients with diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia before and after their induction treatments. DNA was isolated and further modified with sodium bisulfite. Methylation-specific polymerase (MSP) chain reaction was performed to detect aberrant promoter methylation of MLH1, p16, SOCS1, ER and CDH1. Results: Samples from a total of 24 patients were analyzed. The mean age was 47 years (range 22-70) with 21/24 patients younger than 60 years (88%). Most of the patients were female (13/24, 54%). Ten patients had diploid cytogenetics (42%), 4 had low risk cytogenetics (17%) and 10 had high risk cytogenetics (42%). Nineteen patients were de Novo AML (79%). Sixteen patients (67%) presented with WBC counts higher than 10 x 109/L. Seventeen patients (71%) achieved a complete response at the end of the induction therapy. Frequencies of gene methylation before treatment were as follows: MLH: 3/24 (13%); p16: 6/24 (25%); SOCS1:13/24 (54%); ER: 16/24 (67%) and CDH1: 4/24 (16.7%). Conclusions: No correlation between methylation status of p16 and MLH1 before treatment and clinicopathological characteristics was noted. Unmethylated CDH1 was more common among the novo AML patients. Methylation of SOCS1 was more common among patients that achieve a CR after induction therapy. This sample is a small one, so any correlation must be further tested in a more ample sample. Collection of more patient's samples and correlation with clinical data and patient's ultimate outcome is ongoing. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5569. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5569