In line with our previous results [8], the following baseline factors did not significantly affect overall survival: gender, age </≥75, age </≥80, WHO-AML-type, WBC count </≥10 G/l, WBC count </≥15 G/l, WBC count </≥30 G/l, neutrophil count <1,000/μl, lymphocyte count <2,000/μl, RBC-TD, BM blast count ≤30/>30 % (irrespective of whether the whole cohort or only patients treated with azacitidine first line were analyzed), serum erythropoietin level, as well as prior treatment with ESA, G-CSF, iron chelators, low-dose Ara-C, or hydroxyurea (Supplemental Table 4 and Fig. 1a–h). This evidence concerns the gene EPO and acute myeloid leukemia.