Affiliations: [a] Department of Pathology, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, India | [b] Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, India | [c] DBT Centre for Molecular Biology & Cancer Research, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, India | [d] Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, India
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Anupam Sarma, Department of Pathology, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati 781016, India. Tel.: +91 9864016791; Fax: +91 361 2472636; E-mail: dranupamsarma@gmail.com
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Acute leukemia is a heterogenous disease having diverse
phenotypes. Immunophenotyping by flowcytometry is essential for diagnosis of
myeloid and lymphoid subtypes. Aberrant phenotype incidence is controversial
and dissimilar results have been reported by different groups. OBJECTIVES: Purpose of the study was to determine the incidence of
aberrant phenotypes in North East Indian patients with acute leukemia. METHODS: We analysed a total of 100 cases (AML = 36, ALL = 61, MPAL = 3)
by multiparametric flow cytometry using an acute panel of monoclonal
antibodies (MoAbs). The MoAbs were selected to identify
differentiation-associated antigens of both myeloid and lymphoid lineages. RESULTS: Aberrant phenotypes were found in 21 (58.3%) cases of
AML, 36 (59.2%) cases of B-ALL and 6 (66.7%) cases of T-ALL. CD7 was
the most frequent lymphoid associated antigen found in 33% of AML cases
while CD117 was the myeloid antigen most frequently detected in ALL (54%)
cases. Aberrant expression of CD 117 is highly significant by Fischer's
exact test (P< 0.0001). CONCLUSION: We conclude that aberrant phenotypes are present in a
great majority of acute leukemia patients of North East India. Future
studies will be directed to correlate of these markers with prognosis and
therapeutic response.
Keywords: Acute leukemia, flow cytometry, aberrant phenotype, CD marker
