Expression of Proviral Integration of Moloney Virus-2 (PIM2) Gene in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and its Clinical Significance

Background: Despite extensive research in leukemia, intracellular events leading to prolongation of cell cycle and resistance to pro-apoptotic factors are still not clearly defined. In recent years, the search for such events led to focusing on an anti-apoptotic factor, PIM-2 (Proviral integration of Moloney virus-2). The aim of the present study was to assess the expression of PIM2 gene in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) through quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) and to correlate the results with clinical and laboratory findings of the patients as well as their response to the treatment. Methods: 80 patients with AML and control group were enrolled in the present study. QRT-PCR was used to study PIM2 gene expression. Results: The mean expression level of PIM2 gene was significantly higher in AML patients (3.5941±7.7736) compared with the control group (0.5303±0.4014) (P=0.034). Its expression level was not different in terms of achieving remission. A positive correlation was observed between PIM2 gene expression and total leucocytic count (R=0.059, P=0.719), while there was a negative correlation between the gene expression and platelet count (R=-0.118, P=0.470). No significant correlation was found between PIM2 gene and patients’ response to treatment as (P=0.883) although it’s level was higher in patients who did not achieve complete remission (6.1±11.9) than patients who achieved complete remission (3.1±5.3). Conclusion: The present study showed higher PIM2 expression level in AML patients than normal population. Also, its level was higher in patients who did not achieve complete remission.