Biphenotypic acute leukemia treated with acute myeloid leukemia regimens: a case series

This study retrospectively analyzed 8 cases of biphenotypic acute leukemia (BAL) in respect of morphology, immune phenotype, karyotype, and clinical manifestations. Six patients had myeloid plus T lymphoid, and 2 cases had myeloid plus B-lymphoid immune phenotypic markers. Because selection of an antileukemic chemotherapy regimen for acute leukemia is largely based on whether a case is classified as myeloid or lymphoid, the presence of markers for both lineages may have important implications for treatment. However, there is no consensus yet on chemotherapy for patients with BAL. All of our patients were treated with regimens designed for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Five patients were treated with high-dose cytarabine plus mitoxantrone and 3 achieved complete remission. Two patients treated with idarubicin plus cytarabine. Both of them achieved complete remission. One case was given cytarabine plus mitoxantrone and achieved complete remission. Consequently, 6 out of 8 BAL patients achieved complete remission with AML-type regimens.