OBJECTIVETo explore the gene expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) in bone marrow mononuclear cells and the expression of IGFBP3 in peripheral blood as well their significance.

METHODSA total of 178 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) from March 2014 to March 2016 were divided into de novo AML, CR, and relapse groups according to their condition; Patients with non-hematologic malignancies and normal bone marrow in the same period were selected as control group. The ELISA method was used to detect the IGFBP3 protein levels in peripheral blood, and PCR method were used to detecte IGFBP3 gene expression in bone marrow mono-nucleated cells.

RESULTSIGFBP3 gene expression levels of bone marrow mononuclear cells in de novo AML and relapse groups were significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05), while that in CR group and control group, de novo AML and relapse groups was no significantly different (P>0.05); IGFBP3 levels of peripheral blood in de novo AML and relapse groups were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05), while those in CR group and control group, de novo AML and relapse groups were no significantly different (P>0.05); IGFBP3 expression levels in peripheral blood and bone marrow mononucleated cells did not show significant correlation.

CONCLUSIONThe gene expression of IGFBP3 in bone marrow mononuclear cells and its protein levels in peripheral blood may play an important role in occurrence and development of acute myeloid leukemia, and it can also evaluate the disease status and treatment efficacy of acute myeloid leukemia in some extent.