OCT-2 expression and OCT-2/BOB.1 co-expression predict prognosis in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia

OCT-2 and its co-activator, BOB.1, are B-cell associated transcription factors expressed in a subset of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We evaluated OCT-2 and BOB.1 expression by immunohistochemistry in patients with newly diagnosed AML. The median overall survival (OS) for patients with varying levels of OCT-2 expression was statistically different (p = 0.03) (OCT-2 <10%: 21.7 months; OCT-2 10-50%: 18.4 months; OCT-2 >50%: 11.6 months). On multivariate analysis, co-expression of OCT-2/BOB.1 remained predictive for achievement of complete remission (HR 0.44, p = 0.010) and increased risk of relapse (HR 2.30, p = 0.047). OCT-2 (per 10% increase) was associated with a decreased progression-free survival (HR 1.10, p = 0.036) and a trend toward a worse OS (HR 1.10, p = 0.063). OCT-2 may act as a cell survival factor in AML by mediating expression of downstream targets, such as BCL-2. These results will need to be validated prospectively.