Microsatellite instability and p53 mutations are characteristic of subgroups of acute myeloid leukemia but independent events.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) and p53 alterations which may represent major mechanisms of genetic instability, are rarely observed in de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) but may play a substantial role in subgroups characterized by either a myelodysplastic prephase (sAML), previous chemotherapy (tAML) or a complex aberrant karyotype. We performed allelotyping and p53 mutation analysis in 75 patients with morphologically and cytogenetically classified AML.