[CD7, HLA-DR, CD38 positive acute undifferentiated leukemia with subcutaneous tumor and thymoma]

A case of acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL), accompanied by subcutaneous tumor and thymoma is reported. The analysis of immunophenotype showed that the leukemic blasts were positive for CD7, HLA-DR, CD38 and CD34 in 17.5% but negative results were obtained for other lymphoid and myeloid antigens. The leukemic blasts had a rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene and T cell receptor delta (TCR-delta) chain gene chromosomal abnormality, 47, XY, +8, t(13; 17) (q12; q21), -17, +M was observed. In general, the CR rate is low and prognosis is poor in patients with AUL. In our case, CR was not achieved by the therapy with JALSG-ALL87 protocol, but was achieved by subsequent treatment with high dose ara-C therapy and combination chemotherapy including intermediate-dose ara-C, mitoxantrone, etoposide and prednisolone.