Monosomal karyotype in acute myeloid leukemia and the role of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Monosomal karyotype (MK) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with an extremely poor outcome. The clinical significance of MK and the role of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) were evaluated in 749 Korean patients with newly diagnosed AML. MK was found in 9.3% of patients and was more frequent in patients with advanced age or secondary AML. Patients with MK had significantly lower blood leukocyte counts and bone marrow blast percentages, and they had lower complete remission (CR) rate (43%) and shorter median overall survival (OS) (6.5 months) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (10.0 months) than any other prognostic group. MK+ patients who received allogeneic HCT at the first CR had higher OS [hazard ratio (HR) 0.344, P = 0.018], RFS (HR 0.257, P = 0.006), and lower relapse probability (HR 0.264, P = 0.008) than those not receiving. This study's results confirmed poor outcomes for AML patients with MK and suggest that allogeneic HCT at the first CR may improve outcome.