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A morphologic and cytochemical study of acute myelomonocytic leukemia with abnormal marrow eosinophils associated
Abstract:
Nineteen patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia were found to have a pericentric inversion of chromosome 16. All were classified as having acute myelomonocytic leukemia (M4) according to French-American-British Cooperative Group (FAB) criteria. Consistent abnormalities of marrow eosinophils were present. In 15 of the 19 patients, the number of eosinophils was increased. Morphologic abnormalities of eosinophils were present in all patients, the most striking being the presence of large basophilic staining granules in 18 of the 19 patients. In most cases we also found a population of cells with morphologic features of both eosinophils and monocytes. Eosinophils showed atypical cytochemical reactions with PAS in ten of ten cases studied, with naphthol ASD Chloroacetate in ten of ten cases, and with combined naphthol ASD Chloroacetate esterase- chlorazol fast pink in seven of nine cases tested. The presence of inv(16) defines a distinct subset of ANLL with consistent morphologic and cytochemical features.
Insights
A specific chromosome 16 inversion, inv(16), is linked to acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. This genetic marker identifies a unique subtype of acute myelomonocytic leukemia with distinct cellular and staining characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Cytogenetics
- Oncology
Background:
- Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) encompasses diverse subtypes.
- Identifying distinct genetic and morphologic markers aids in classification and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between pericentric inversion of chromosome 16 and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.
- To characterize the morphologic and cytochemical features of ANLL patients with inv(16).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 19 ANLL patients with pericentric inversion of chromosome 16.
- Classification using French-American-British (FAB) criteria.
- Morphologic and cytochemical evaluation of bone marrow eosinophils and other myeloid cells.
Main Results:
- All 19 patients were classified as acute myelomonocytic leukemia (M4).
- Consistent abnormalities in marrow eosinophils were observed, including increased numbers and atypical morphology (basophilic granules).
- Atypical cytochemical reactions were noted in eosinophils and myeloid cells.
Conclusions:
- The pericentric inversion of chromosome 16, inv(16), defines a distinct subset of ANLL.
- This subset, classified as M4, exhibits consistent morphologic and cytochemical abnormalities, particularly involving eosinophils.