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The Philadelphia Chromosome (Ph 1 ) in Adults Presenting with Acute Leukaemia: a Comparison of Ph 1 + and Ph 1 ‐ Patients *
Author(s) -
Bloomfield C. D.,
Peterson L. C.,
Yunis J. J.,
Brunning R. D.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1977.tb00658.x
Subject(s) - medicine , acute lymphocytic leukemia , philadelphia chromosome , bone marrow , acute leukemia , clinical significance , leukemia , gastroenterology , chromosomal translocation , lymphoblastic leukemia , biology , genetics , gene
To evaluate the frequency and clinical significance of the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph 1 ) in adult acute leukaemia, bone marrow chromosomes were studied in 15 adults with acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) and 55 with acute nonlymphocytic leukaemia (ANLL). Morphology, clinical findings, therapeutic response and survival were compared in patients with and without the Ph 1 . The Ph 1 was found in six newly diagnosed adults presenting with ALL. Adults with Ph 1 + ALL differed from those with Ph 1 –ALL in being older, in having more frequent lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly and in demonstrating higher initial leucocyte counts and more peripheral blasts. Complete remissions were obtained in all nine adults with Ph 1 ‐ALL but in only three of six with Ph 1 +ALL. Adults with Ph 1 –ALL survived significantly longer. Four adults with ANLL were Ph 1 +. They did not respond to treatment and survived significantly shorter periods than adults with Ph 1 –ANLL. No clinical or morphologic features indicated which patients with acute leukaemia would have the Ph 1 . Since the presence of the Ph 1 in acute leukaemia has therapeutic and prognostic significance, marrow chromosome studies should be performed in adults presenting with acute leukaemia, especially ALL.