Open AccessAcute Lymphoblastic Leukemia With Burkitt-like Morphologic Features and High Myeloperoxidase Activity
Author(s) -
Michael Rytting,
Hagop M. Kantarjian,
Maher Albitar
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
american journal of clinical pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.859
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1943-7722
pISSN - 0002-9173
DOI - 10.1309/ajcpz7e9imxvsnpt
Subject(s) - myeloperoxidase , lymphoblast , myeloid leukemia , myeloid , leukemia , pathology , immunophenotyping , basophilic , acute lymphocytic leukemia , immunology , lymphoblastic lymphoma , antibody , medicine , lymphoblastic leukemia , lymphoma , burkitt's lymphoma , flow cytometry , biology , cell culture , t cell , inflammation , immune system , genetics
Expression of a high level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) as a sole myeloid marker in acute leukemias that express typical lymphoblastic markers is unusual. Herein we report 5 cases of MPO+, otherwise typical acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) without the expression of other myeloid markers. In most cases, MPO positivity was detected in more than 20% of blasts by immunologic (flow cytometric) and enzymatic testing. The striking feature of most of these cases is a morphologic picture reminiscent of that seen in Burkitt-like B-cell ALL with basophilic cytoplasm and vacuoles but no expression of surface immunoglobulin. All cases responded to ALL therapy and should be distinguished from myeloid leukemia and from Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma.
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