THE CLINICOPATHOLOGIC SIGNIFICANCE OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE 1 GENE EXPRESSION IN ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA PATIENTS

The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment of acute myeloid leukemia patients is extensively altered, contributing to the severity of the disease as well as causing an antitumor immune surveillance. Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) is a secreted protein of collagenase groups in the bone marrow microenvironment that functions to remodel the extracellular matrix. Studies have demonstrated the role of MMP-1 as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in esophageal, bladder and other solid tumors. Its value in hematological malignancies is yet to be elucidated.AimsWe sought to assess the differences in MMP-1 gene expression between AML patients compared to controls and its correlation with the patient’s clinical and laboratory characteristics.MethodsMMP-1 gene expression from bone marrow aspirates of 60 newly diagnosed de novo AML cases and 40 controls with benign hematological conditions was assessed by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and the results of the relative gene expression statistically correlated with hematology, clinical chemistry results as well as flow cytometry and cytogenetic findings of the cases. A p value ≤ 0.05 was statistically significant.