Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9 1944 genomic signature represents a baseline state and is not confounded by treatment. This gene list was used as the AML-associated gene expression signature throughout the remaining analyses. Interestingly, several of the AML-associated genes overlapped with those highlighted in the Mills et al. report [22] and are involved in AML progression, including fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3), v-kit Hardy-Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KIT), runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1), and Wilms tumor 1 (WT1). Figure 2. Heat map displaying the relative expression levels of the 731 AML-associated genes. Expression levels are z-score normalized. AML Non-Leukemia 360 up-regulated genes in AML 371 down-regulated genes in AML Relative decrease in expression Relative increase in expression A comparison between the AML-associated gene signature and a previously published set of AML-related genes was also performed. The gene set to which we compared the AML-associated gene expression signature consisted of 66 genes that have been identified as accurate predictors of overall survival for AML patients [38]. Given the difference in study designs, the degree of overlap between the gene signatures is robust. Specifically, a total of 24 of the 66 genes (36%) identified as predictors of survival in AML patients were also present in our AML-associated gene signature (see electronic supplementary information, Table S2). 3.1.2. AML-Associated miRNAs Are Identified Based on previous studies that have highlighted the changes in sets of miRNAs, we hypothesized that miRNAs likely act in a coordinated manner to mediate their regulatory effects through key biological pathways. Thus to identify miRNAs known to be altered in expression in AML patients, a thorough literature review was conducted. A total of seven AML-associated miRNAs were identified, consisting of miRNAs with significant differential expression in blood and/or bone marrow samples collected from AML patients in comparison to non-leukemic patients. To detail, miR-125b, miR-126, miR-142-3p, miR-155, miR-223, miR-29a, and miR-29b have all shown altered expression