Low expression of microRNA-204 (miR-204) is associated with poor clinical outcome of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous neoplasm of the bone marrow with poor prognosis. In clinical practice new prognostic factors are still needed. MicroRNAs (miRs), small endogenous noncoding RNAs, play an essential role in the development and progression of acute leukemia. The aim of the study was to evaluate miR-204 expression in patients with AML at diagnosis and after induction chemotherapy, in comparison to healthy controls. We also investigated, if miR-204 expression correlates with clinical features of AML patients. METHODS: miR-204 expression has been analyzed using RT-PCR in 95 bone marrow specimens from newly diagnosed AML patients in comparison to 20 healthy subject. RESULTS: We showed down-regulated miR-204 expression in AML patients, which was associated with shorter patients’ survival. Higher expression of miR-204 in patients after induction therapy was correlated with complete remission achieving. CONCLUSIONS: We showed low miR-204 expression in AML and found it to be an independent prognostic factor in this patient population.