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Updated: Sep 23, 2026
Comprehensive Protocol to Sample and Process Bone Marrow for Measuring Measurable Residual Disease and Leukemic Stem Cells in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Published on: March 5, 2018
[Microrheology of marrow promyelocytes from patients suffering from acute myeloblastic leukemia type 3]
S Geiger1, H Dombret, C Bucherer
1Unité de Biorhéologie, Université Paris VI.
Abstract:
Viscosity values of marrow cells from patients suffering from acute promyelocytic leukemia (acute myeloid leukemia of type 3) have been determined before and during a treatment with all-trans retinoïc acid (active metabolite of the vitamin A, inducing cell differentiation and maturation). Evaluated from aspiration tests into a glass micropipette, the marrow cell viscosity has been compared to that of normal neutrophils. Results seem to point out that the induced hyperleucocytosis is favoured by both a low standard deviation of pathological cell viscosity and a cell viscosity value close to that of normal neutrophils. The systematic study of cell viscosity could therefore help the clinicians to individualize the treatment.
Insights
Viscosity measurements of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells treated with all-trans retinoic acid reveal that lower cell viscosity and standard deviation may favor hyperleukocytosis. This finding could aid in personalizing treatment strategies for APL patients.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Context:
- Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML type 3), is characterized by specific cellular abnormalities.
- All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a vitamin A metabolite known to induce differentiation and maturation in APL cells.
- Understanding the biophysical properties of leukemic cells is crucial for effective treatment strategies.
Purpose:
- To determine the viscosity of bone marrow cells in patients with APL before and during ATRA treatment.
- To compare the viscosity of pathological APL cells with that of normal neutrophils.
- To investigate the correlation between cell viscosity, its standard deviation, and the development of hyperleukocytosis during ATRA therapy.
Summary:
- Viscosity of bone marrow cells from APL patients was measured using micropipette aspiration tests.
- Cell viscosity was assessed before and during treatment with all-trans retinoic acid.
- Results indicate that a low standard deviation and viscosity values close to normal neutrophils may favor ATRA-induced hyperleukocytosis.
Impact:
- The study suggests that systematic evaluation of cell viscosity could assist clinicians in tailoring ATRA treatment for individual APL patients.
- Identifying specific viscosity profiles may help predict or manage treatment-related complications like hyperleukocytosis.
- This research contributes to a deeper understanding of leukemic cell mechanics and their response to differentiation therapy.
