Abstract
One hundred ninety-two patients with previously untreated AML had TdT studies performed on their presenting BM aspirate specimens. Thirty-seven patients (19%) had greater than 5% TdT-positive (TdT+) blasts in their BM, as determined by an indirect immunofluorescence technique. CR rates were similar in both groups of patients (20/37 vs. 97/155, p = not significant) as were remission durations and median survivals. In the subset of patients younger than 60 years, patients with TdT+ blasts had an increased median survival (110 vs. 54 weeks, p = 0.1) compared with those having TdT- blasts. Six of 37 patients with TdT+ findings had t(8;21) translocations compared to 5 of 155 with TdT- findings (16% vs, 3%, p < 0.01). Patients with more than 50% BM blast cells showing TdT positivity at diagnosis tended to be younger than those with TdT- (mean age 30.5 years and 50.3 years, p = 0.04). The presence of TdT+ blast cells in the initial marrow in patients with AML may be associated with specific cytogenetic abnormalities and may identify subsets of patients who have improved prognoses.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 667-671 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Leukemia |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 10 |
State | Published - 1988 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Cancer Research