Effects of c-KIT mutations on expression of the RUNX1/RUNX1T1 fusion transcript in t(8;21)-positive acute myeloid leukemia patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of c-KIT mutations on RUNX1/RUNX1T1 fusion transcript expression in patients with t(8;21)-positive AML. Fifty patients diagnosed with t(8;21)-positive AML for recent 10 years were enrolled. Patients with c-KIT mutations tended to achieve a greater than 3-log reduction in RUNX1/RUNX1T1 fusion transcript expression less frequently than patients without mutations from 6 to 12 months of follow-up. They have difficulties to obtain molecular complete remission and experience molecular relapse more frequently and rapidly than those without mutations. These results support poor prognostic impact of c-KIT mutations in t(8;21)-positive AML.