Overexpression of the oncogene ERG (ETS-related gene) is an adverse prognostic factor in acute myeloid and T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (AML and T-ALL).
High BAALC expression correlated with a higher frequency of early T-ALL (P < .0001), CD34 positivity (P < .0001), coexpression of myeloid markers (P = .0001), and high ERG expression (P = .03).
On multivariable analysis high ERG expression (P = .005), immunophenotypic subgroups (early v mature v thymic T-ALL; overall P = .04), HOX11L2 positivity (P = .055), and absence of HOX11 (P = .017) were independent adverse risk factors predicting RFS.