The polymorphism of JAK2 rs56118985 may be a predictive marker of the treatment responses of acute myeloid leukemia patients

Background: The Janus kinase/Signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway plays a role in ontogeny and developmental biology, hematopoietic regulation and the immune response. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the genetic polymorphism rs56118985 (Glycine. Aspartic acid) in the JAK2 gene is associated with the therapeutic outcomes of Ara-C-based chemotherapy regimens in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: A total of 552 AML patients were included in our study. Genotypes were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Results: The frequency of the GG genotype was significantly higher in patients with intermediate and good therapeutic responses. In contrast, the GA genotype was found in the unfavorable response group, high ratio of blast group and was significantly associated with the poor therapeutic response group. Patients with the GA genotype were significantly more likely to die early (P<0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, the polymorphism of JAK2 rs56118985 may be a predictive marker of the treatment responses of AML patients.