[Culture of clonogenic stem cells in human acute myeloid leukemia]

The properties of leukaemic progenitor cells can be evaluated from cultures of fresh clonogenic cells in a semi-solid medium. The major obstacle is the lack of selectivity of stimulating growth factors, which requires constant verification that the colonies obtained are made up of leukaemic cells. The in vitro sensitivity of leukaemic progenitors to cytostatic drugs is one of the best prognostic factors of response to treatment, and studies are in progress to determine the most appropriate multiple chemotherapeutic regimen according to these in vitro tests in patients who failed to respond to a first conventional therapy.