The difference in initial leukocyte count, bone marrow blast cell count and CD 34 expression in patients with acute myeloid leukemia with and without NPM1 gene mutation

Background: Mutation in NPM1 gene has been reported to be the most common genetic mutation in de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML with NPM1 gene mutation usually presents with higher initial leukocyte and blast cell counts and negative CD34 expression. We aimed to investigate the difference of initial leukocyte counts, bone marrow blast cell counts and expression of CD34 among patients with AML with and without NPM1 mutation. Methods: In this study, 25 de novo patients with AML were investigated for NPM1 exon 12 gene mutation using ASO-RT-PCR. Initial leukocyte counts, bone marrow blast cell counts and expression of CD34 on blasts were examined in all patients. Results: 13 of 25 de novo patients with AML (52%) had NPM1 gene mutation. Initial leukocyte counts in AML patients with NPM1 gene mutation was not significantly higher than patients without this mutation (23.400/µL versus 16.000/µL, P=0.53). Blast cell counts were not significantly higher in AML patients with NPM1 gene mutation than patients without mutation. (41% versus 19%, P=0,18). Expression of CD34 was not significantly different between AML patients with and without NPM1 gene mutation (P=0.48). Conclusion: There were no difference in initial leukocyte count, blast cell count and CD34 expression among patients with AML with and without NPM1 exon 12 type A gene mutation.