Progress in DNA Methylation Research on Genes Associated with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Hong Qingxiao¹, Ye Huadan¹, Tang Linlin¹, Jiang Danjie¹, Ji Huihui¹,Dai Dongjun¹, Ouyang Guifang^2*, Duan Shiwei^1*

¹Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; ²Hematology Department, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo 315010, China

Abstract: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematologic malignancy， characterized by the clonal expansion of myeloid blasts in the peripheral blood， bone marrow and other tissues. The incidence of AML increased rapidly in recent years， which has become a huge threat to human health. The incidence and mortality rates of AML are significantly different in various ethnic populations and different genders. As a complex disease， AML is contributed by both genetic mutations and aberrant epigenetic modification. DNA methylation is one kind of important epigenetic modifications. The aberrantly methylated AML-related genes are pivotal to the risk and development of AML. This review collected the aberrantly methylated genes in AML and outlined the mechanisms by which contributed to the risk and pathogenesis of AML. A further classification of these genes was also provided according to their biological functions. These genes might help predict the outcomes of treatment and prognosis of AML， and help develop new individualized chemotherapeutic procedures for AML.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2015.02.0019