Premium
Heterogeneity of morphological, cytochemical, and cytogenetic features in the blastic phase of chronic granulocytic leukemia
Author(s) -
Shaw Michael T.,
Bottomley Richard H.,
Grozea Petre N.,
Nordquist Robert E.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197501)35:1<199::aid-cncr2820350124>3.0.co;2-9
Subject(s) - chronic granulocytic leukemia , cytoplasm , staining , pathology , biopsy , leukemia , bone marrow , medicine , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology
Possible predicitive criteria of the refractorness to therapy of the blastic phase of PH 1 ‐positive chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL) have been sought. Eight cases in the blastic phase were studied. The blasts were noted to be of two types: some displayed a high nuclear: Cytoplasmic ratio with deep blue cytoplasm, while others had a comparatively low nuclear: cytoplasmic ratio and bluish gray cytoplasm containing a few small granules. Electron microscopic studies showed a variety of features, including defective organcelles and giant mitochondria. Cytochemical staining revealed the majority of blast cells to be peroxidase‐ and sudan black‐negative; granular PAS positivity oas the rule. Serial cytogenetic studies demonstrated increasing aneuploidy. Bone marrow biopsy showed myclofibrotic changes in two cases. Two patients entered complete remission with prednisone and vincreistine and with Ara‐C and thioguanine, respectively. It is concluded that the blastic phase of CGL may manifest heterogeneity.