Runx1 Gene in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Expression Level Significance and Impact on Clinical Features

Abstract Background Acute myeloid leukemia represents the highest percentage of all adult acute leukemia variants. Runt-related transcription factor1 (RUNX1), a transcription factor with a known tumor suppressor function was recently reported as a tumor promotor in AML. We investigated the role of RUNX1 geneexpression levelin Egyptian AML patients and delineateits clinical significance. Methods This study recruited 91 AML patients that were recently diagnosed at our hospital with 14 healthy age- and sex-matched donors of bone marrow transplantation unit. We measured RUNX1 gene expression level using reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results We found that RUNX1 gene expression level was significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Patients with FLT3 mutations had the higher expression level of RUNX1 (p=0.023). The male patients expressed significantly higher level of RUNX1 (p=0.046). Conclusion The RUNX1 gene expression may serve as a diagnostic marker in Egyptian AML patients. Its relation to FLT3 may give clue that patients carrying this mutation may benefit fromnew treatments that target RUNX1 in the future. Further studies on a larger number of patients and different ethnic groupsmay give a clearer vision about this new molecular therapeutic target.