Gene expression analyses in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML): current status and perspectives

Gene expression analyses based on the microarray technique allow the simultaneous investigation of the expression patterns of tens of thousands of genes. Given the enormous genetic variety of the diverse subtypes of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), microarrays provide promising potential for efficient diagnostics, for a more detailed molecular subclassification, as well as for the characterization of new leukaemia subclasses. Also, gene expression analyses might allow the design of assays being able to predict the response to targeted therapy approaches. The robustness of this method is a further advantage. However, not all so far known subgroups of AML are reproducible by gene expression profiling, and the position of this novel method for diagnostics and for therapeutic strategies in AML has to be further evaluated in prospective studies. This review summarizes the recent developments and the current status of gene expression analyses in AML and discusses perspectives of this novel approach in the future.