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Immune system changes play a role in AML relapse

Christopher MJ et al. N Engl J Med. 2018 Oct 31. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1808777.

Key clinical point: Changes in immune-related gene expression in patients who relapsed after stem cell transplants for acute myeloid leukemia may be reversible.

Major finding: MHC class II genes were down-regulated 200%-1100% after transplant, compared with pretransplant samples.

Study details: Analysis of genetic changes pre- and posttransplant in 15 patients with AML relapse after transplant, 20 patients with relapse after chemotherapy, and 28 patients in a validation sample.

Disclosures: The study was supported by grants to investigators from the National Institutes of Health, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation. Dr. Christopher and several coauthors reported receiving grants from the study funders but no other relevant conflicts of interest. Several coauthors reported receiving personal fees and/or research support from industry outside the submitted work.

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Citation:

Christopher MJ et al. N Engl J Med. 2018 Oct 31. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1808777.