Importância da detecção das mutações no gene FLT3 e no gene NPM1 na leucemia mieloide aguda - Classificação da Organização Mundial de Saúde 2008

Abstract

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a group of malignancies characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of hematopoietic cells resulting from mutations that occur at different stages in the differentiation of myeloid precursor cells. In 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO-2008) published a new classification for cancers of the hematopoietic and lymphoid system. According to this classification, FLT3 and NPM1 gene mutations should be investigated for a more precise diagnosis and prognostic stratification of AML patients. It is well known that the presence of FLT3 gene mutations is considered an unfavorable prognostic factor and type-A NPM1 gene mutations are considered to be favorable. In developed countries, an analysis of FLT3 and NPM1 mutations is considered important for therapeutic decisions in AML patients. Hence, an analysis of FLT3 (internal tandem duplication - ITD- and D835 point mutation) and NPM1 gene mutations is extremely important as molecular markers for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of minimal residual disease in LMA patients.