Abstract
Evaluable karyotypes were available in 776 of 1148 adult patients who were entered on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment protocols of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Among these, we found seven patients (0.9%) with t(9;22)(q34;q11), the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome, in bone marrow metaphases. All fulfilled the FAB criteria for AML (three M0, two M1, two M2), although one patient presented with an additional, distinct lymphoid blast cell population. Chromosomal aberrations in addition to the Ph chromosome were seen in four patients (including two cases of monosomy 7). Molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction in four patients tested revealed variable BCR/ABL transcript forms (ela2, b2a2, b3a2, b2a3+e1a2). By immunophenotyping, all seven patients were myeloid based on the overall antigen expression pattern. However, all but one demonstrated lymphoid-associated antigens on the myeloid blast cells. The six evaluable patients failed to respond to treatment with a standard anthracycline/cytosine arabinoside-containing regimen. We conclude that the incidence of the Ph chromosome in AML is very low. Although both genotypically and phenotypically heterogenous, Ph chromosome-positive AML, represents a clinically distinct entity with poor outcome.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Paietta, E., Racevskis, J., Bennett, J. et al. Biologic heterogeneity in Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute leukemia with myeloid morphology: the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group experience. Leukemia 12, 1881–1885 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2401229
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2401229
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation efficacy in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute myeloid leukemia in complete remission
Bone Marrow Transplantation (2021)
-
BCR-ABL-positive acute myeloid leukemia: a new entity? Analysis of clinical and molecular features
Annals of Hematology (2016)
-
De Novo Philadelphia Positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Extensive Basophilia: A Diagnostic Dilemma
Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (2016)