Downregulated miR-217 expression predicts a poor outcome in acute myeloid leukemia

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in the development and progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the clinical value of serum miR-217 in AML remained poorly known.This study aimed to explore the clinical significance of serum miR-217 in AML.Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect miR-217 levels in the blood samples obtained from 89 AML patients and 60 healthy controls.The results showed that miR-217 expression was significantly decreased in AML patients compared to controls. Likewise, serum miR-217 levels were greatly downregulated in the AML patients with poor risk cytogenetic. ROC analysis demonstrated that serum miR-217 could effectively differentiate AML patients from normal controls. Also, miR-217 expression was markedly increased in patients achieving complete remission after their treatment. In addition, low miR-217 expression was associated with aggressive clinical features. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that AML patients with low miR-217 expression tended to have shorter overall survival and disease free survival. In the multivariate analysis stratified for prognostic parameters, miR-217 was proved to be an independent prognostic indicator.Collectively, miR-217 was identified as an independent marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of AML.