ITGB7, SCD, and CD69 Expression Correlated With Overall Survival in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The expression of ITGB7, SCD, or CD69 genes was found to be associated with the overall survival (OS) of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Additionally, SCD and ITGB7 expression, along with advanced age, indicated a poor prognosis, while CD69 was noted as a critical biomarker and molecular target for disease progression and immune cell infiltration, according to retrospective study results published in Translational Cancer Research.

Previous research has highlighted the impact of the tumor microenvironment on disease progression and therapeutic resistance in AML. Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis to determine the impact of 13 genes identified as having significant expression alterations on OS among patients diagnosed with AML compared to those without.

Overall, data from 173 patients with AML and 70 control patients without AML were included. Expression level changes were highest among patients with AML who also had ANKRD36B, ITGB7, S100A10, ADD3, CD69, or ERAP2 genes. While expression was most reduced among patients with AML and PLK1, TSPAN13, SCD, or AURKA genes.

High CD69 expression was associated with reduced OS (P.04). Multivariate Cox regression analysis results demonstrated high CD69 expression (hazard ratio [HR], 1.217; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.001 to 1.479; P = .0049), ITBG7 expression (HR, 1.217; 95% CI, 1.1001 to 1.479; P = .0049), SCD (HR, 1.336; 95% CI, 1.131 to 1.650; P = .001), and age (HR, 1.042; 95% CI, 1.024 to 1.061; P <. 001)  as risk factors for OS.

Immune profiling revealed that increased CD69 expression was associated with B-Cell infiltration (P = .01), CD4⁺ T-Cells (P <.001), and endothelial cells (P = .001), as well as decreased infiltration of CD8⁺ T-Cells (P = .03) and macrophages (P = .03). Additionally, treatment with decitabine (DA) was associated with a reduction in CD69 expression, compared to treatment with cytosine arabinoside.

“Our findings revealed that the expression of ITGB7, SCD, and CD69 were significantly correlated with the OS of AML patients. Additionally, SCD and ITGB7 expression, along with advanced age, were identified as factors influencing poor prognosis in AML. Furthermore, the study established CD69 as a critical biomarker and molecular target in AML progression and immune cell infiltration,” the researchers concluded.

“Based on our results, CD69 merits further research for a deeper understanding of its role in AML progression and immune regulation,” they added.

Source:

Zhou J, Wu H, Li B, et al. CD69 predicts prognosis through immune cell infiltration and decitabine treatment response in acute myeloid leukemia. Translational Cancer Research. 2025;14(2):865-880. doi: 10.21037/tcr-24-1550