Acid phosphatase staining pattern as an indicator of T-cell acute leukemia

Acid phosphatase staining pattern has been variably advocated and discouraged as an indicator of T-cell differentiation of acute lymphoblastic leukemias. This study indicates that acid phosphatase staining pattern will correlate with the results of E rosette testing in both T-cell and non-T, non-B acute lymphoblastic leukemias in over 90% of cases. Acid phosphatase staining pattern may reliably be used to indicate T-cell differentiation in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in cases where insufficient material for E rosette testing is available.