Aberrant immunophenotypes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most prevalent hematologic neoplasia worldwide. To classify leukemia, we analyzed the immunophenotypic characteristics in the neoplastic cells obtained with antibodies by cell flow cytometry or immunohistochemistry. The aberrant immunophenotypes are antigen expression patterns that differ from the normal hematopoietic maturation process, which can include some different lineage antigens such as myeloid antigens in ALL or asynchronous expression of antigens. These aberrant immunophenotypes have been studied as prognostic factors and residual disease markers. In this review, some aspects of aberrant immunophenotypes are addressed, including definition, epidemiology, and potential uses.