Flt3 Mutations In A Large Series Of Patients With Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Treated With All-Trans Retinoic Acid And Anthracycline Monochemotherapy.

Background: The prognostic significance of FLT3 internal tandem duplication (ITD) and D835 mutations in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) remains unclear. Recent studies have revealed an association between FLT3 mutations and leukocytes > 10x109/L, M3-variant subtype and BCR3 isoform. It has been also suggested that patients with FLT3 mutations have a higher induction death rate and a shorter survival. Objectives: To analyze in patients with newly diagnosed APL treated with an ATRA plus anthracycline-based protocol if the presence of FLT3 ITD and D835 mutations influences the clinical and biological presenting features, and the disease outcome.