The role of CD36 expression on survival and febrile neutropenia in patients with acute myeloid leukemia


YİĞİTBAŞI A., ÜMİT E. G., KANDEMİR B., DEMİR A. M.

Biomarkers, vol.31, no.4, pp.266-270, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 31 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/1354750x.2026.2672956
  • Journal Name: Biomarkers
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.266-270
  • Keywords: Acute myeloid leukemia, CD36, chemoresistance, febrile neutropenia, overall survival
  • Trakya University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal malignancy characterized by impaired hematopoietic differentiation. CD36 is a transmembrane glycoprotein receptor for phospholipids, lipoproteins, and long-chain fatty acids, and has been implicated in chemoresistance. In this AML cohort we evaluated CD36 expression and its association with febrile neutropenia (FEN) and overall survival (OS) as a potential biomarker of infectious risk. Purpose: To assess whether CD36 expression may be associated with FEN and OS in AML. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center cohort study of patients with AML, evaluating flow cytometric CD36 expression and its associations with FEN and OS during follow-up. Results: Among 41 AML patients (median age, 61 years; 46.3% male), CD36 expression was <20% in 20 (48.8%) and ≥20% in 21 (51.2%). FEN occurred in 34 patients (82.9%), including 20/21 (95.2%) in the CD36 ≥ 20% group (p = 0.032). Patients with CD36 expression ≥20% also exhibited shorter OS and a higher hazard of death on univariable Cox regression (HR 3.161, 95% CI 1.276–7.827; p = 0.013). Conclusion: Higher CD36 expression in AML may be associated with more frequent FEN and reduced OS, suggesting its potential clinical relevance as a biomarker of infection-related vulnerability and adverse prognosis.