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Polycomb genes are associated with response to imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia

Francesco Crea1,2,3, Antonello Di Paolo4, Hui Hsuan Liu1

  • 1Experimental Therapeutics, BCCA Research Centre, 675 W 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada.

Epigenomics
|September 8, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Identifying patients likely to respond to imatinib therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is crucial. Polycomb group gene (PcG) expression levels, particularly BMI1, CBX6, and CBX7, can help predict treatment response and stratify patient risk.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Pharmacogenomics

Background:

  • Imatinib revolutionized chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment but has variable efficacy.
  • A significant portion of CML patients discontinue imatinib due to failure or intolerance.
  • Predicting imatinib response is clinically relevant for optimizing patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Polycomb group genes (PcGs) in predicting imatinib response in CML patients.
  • To assess if PcG expression levels can improve existing predictive markers like hOCT1 genotyping.

Main Methods:

  • Measured the expression of eight PcGs in bone marrow samples from 30 CML patients before and after imatinib treatment.
  • Correlated PcG expression levels with imatinib treatment response rates.

Main Results:

  • Expression of BMI1, PHC3, CBX6, and CBX7 significantly increased post-imatinib treatment.
  • Post-treatment CBX6 and CBX7 levels predicted the 3-month response rate.
  • Post-treatment BMI1 levels enhanced the predictive accuracy of hOCT1 genotyping.

Conclusions:

  • PcG expression levels, specifically BMI1, CBX6, and CBX7, show potential as biomarkers for imatinib response in CML.
  • These findings suggest PcG expression can aid in more accurate risk stratification for CML patients undergoing imatinib therapy.
Keywords:
BMI1CBX6CBX7Polycombimatinibpharmacoepigenetics

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