Incidence of cytogenetic (CG) abnormalities in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in African American (AA) population.

Abstract

6622 Background: CG characteristics play a critical role in outcome and therapy of AML. The incidence of normal CG in general population is estimated at 40%. The incidence of abnormal CG in AA population is not known. CG abnormalities help define the pathogenesis of AML subtypes and are prognostically significant; they occur in 40% of all AML cases, but their incidence in African Americans is not known. Methods: Records of adult patients with acute leukemia at Kings County Hospital and Downstate Medical Center from 2004 through 2010 were reviewed. The CG data were stratified into three prognostic groups: good; inv (16), t (8:21) and t (15:17); intermediate: normal CG, +8, t (9:11); poor: ≥ 3 CG abnormalities, including: -5, 5q-, -7, 7q-, inv (3), t (6:9), t (9:22). Results: Of the 52 patients with acute leukemia, 46 had AML; 29 were male and 17 female. Forty-three (93%) of these patients were AA. Ages ranged from 20-82 years (median 53), 15 (33%) having been over 65. Seven (15%) patients had a prior hematological malignancy (HM). CD34 was over-expressed in 23 of 46 (48%) patients with AML. CG data was available in 41 patients, 26 men and 15 women; and was normal in 13 (31%) and abnormal in 28 (69%). Of patients with de-novo AML and known CG; 21 (62%) were abnormal; and 13 (38%) were normal. The distribution of patients in risk stratified groups were: good: 8 (20%); intermediate: 19 (46%); and poor: 14 (34%). In patients with prior HM five (71%) had abnormal CG. The median age of patients with good, intermediate and poor risk CG was 57, 53 and 57 years respectively. Intermediate or poor risk AML occurred in 22 of 26 men (85%) and 11 of 15 women (73%). Conclusions: Our data suggest that CG in AA AML patients are more often abnormal, and of intermediate or poor risk than in the general population.