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Updated: May 12, 2026
Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells
Published on: December 27, 2017
Clinicopathological features of acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia: Relationship between fibrosis and platelet-derived
Daisuke Niino1, Takeshi Tsuchiya, Masao Tomonaga
1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kurume University, Kurume, Japan. niino_daisuke@med.kurumeu.ac.jp
Abstract:
Acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia (AMGL) is an uncommon disease with poor prognosis. Histopathologically, AMGL cases show variable degree of fibrosis and the presence of uniform blasts or mature dysplastic megakaryocytes. Here we examined 18 cases of AMGL, including idiopathic (n = 9) and secondary (n = 9) cases. Fourteen cases were males and four were females, ranging in age from 14 to 87 years (median, 58). All cases had anaemia, but leukocyte and platelet counts varied. Blast cells were detected in the peripheral blood of 14 cases. Fourteen of 16 cases showed chromosomal abnormalities. The median survival was 6 months (range, 1-48 months). Survival rates did not correlate with the severity of fibrosis, proportion of blast cells and cause of AMGL. Nine of the 11 cases examined immunohistochemically were positive for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)(-BB), especially megakaryoblasts and a few fibroblasts. The PDGF-positive cases showed various degrees of fibrosis, while the negative cases showed no evidence of fibrosis. Our results confirmed the poor prognosis of patients with AMGL, irrespective of the degrees of fibrosis, and demonstrated that PDGF could play an important role in the pathogenesis of marrow fibrosis.
Insights
Acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia (AMGL) is a rare cancer with a poor prognosis. This study found platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) may contribute to marrow fibrosis in AMGL patients.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia (AMGL) is an uncommon hematologic malignancy.
- AMGL is characterized by variable marrow fibrosis and the presence of megakaryoblasts or dysplastic megakaryocytes.
- The prognosis for AMGL is generally poor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of AMGL.
- To explore the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the pathogenesis of marrow fibrosis in AMGL.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 18 AMGL cases (9 idiopathic, 9 secondary).
- Evaluation of clinical data, including blood counts, chromosomal abnormalities, and survival.
- Immunohistochemical analysis for PDGF(-BB) expression in 11 cases.
- Correlation of findings with the degree of marrow fibrosis and patient survival.
Main Results:
- Median patient age was 58 years, with a median survival of 6 months.
- Chromosomal abnormalities were present in 14 of 16 cases.
- Blast cells in peripheral blood were observed in 14 cases.
- PDGF(-BB) was positive in 9 of 11 cases, particularly in megakaryoblasts and fibroblasts.
- PDGF positivity correlated with marrow fibrosis; negative cases showed no fibrosis.
Conclusions:
- AMGL carries a poor prognosis, unrelated to fibrosis severity or blast cell proportion.
- PDGF may play a significant role in the development of marrow fibrosis in AMGL.
- Further research into PDGF pathways could offer therapeutic targets for AMGL.
