Epigenetic Silencing of CD34 in AML and Association with Outcome in KMT2A Fusions

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are defined by the expression of the CD34 antigen on the cell surface whereby CD34+/CD38- repopulating cells have been the hallmark. This combination of antigens defining normal HSC has also been used to define leukemic stem cells (LSC). Although there is recognition of variability of CD34 expression in AML and lack of CD34 expression in a subset of AMLs (e.g., NPM1c), accurate and functional consequence of CD34 expression in AML has not yet been fully defined.