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We have analyzed brain and acute leukemia, cytoplasmic ( BAALC) gene expression and other genetic markers ( ERG, EVI1, MN1, PRAME, WT1, FLT3, and NPM1 mutations) in 127 intermediate-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients: 98 cytogenetically normal and 29 with intermediate-risk cytogenetic alterations. High versus low BAALC expressers showed a higher refractoriness to induction treatment (31% vs 10%; p = .005), lower complete remission rate after salvage therapy (82% vs 97%; p = .010), and lower 3-year overall (23% vs 58%, p < .001) and relapse-free survival (26% vs 52%, p = .006). Similar results were found when cytogenetic subgroups were analyzed separately. Multivariate models confirmed the unfavorable prognosis of this marker. In conclusion, BAALC is a relevant prognostic marker in intermediate-risk AML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a patient with multiple myeloma presenting with a paraspinal plasmacytoma with a marked dissociation between the response obtained in bone marrow (BM) infiltration and that achieved in soft tissue masses. While a complete remission was reached and maintained in BM, extramedullary plasmacytomas were refractory to every line of treatment. Genetic analysis identified the presence of t(4;14) and RB deletion in myeloma cells of both origins. However, a P53 deletion was only detected in plasma cells from extramedullary plasmacytomas. This finding suggests that P53 deletion has a role in the lack of treatment response of extramedullary plasmacytomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]