Objective: To study the predictive value of immunophenotypical features in t (8; 21) (q22; q22) acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Methods: Morphological/cytochemical, flow cytometric immunophenotyping, cytogenetic analyses (MIC) and RT-PCR were performed in 294 previously untreated AML.
Results: (1) In 294 AML patients, t (8; 21) AML were 21.8% (64); in AML-M(2), t (8; 21) AML were 54.7%; and in t (8; 21) AML, AML-M(2) were 81.3%. (2) Compared with control group, CD(19) and CD(34) expressions were higher, and CD(33) expression was lower (P < 0.001) in t (8; 21) AML. (3) If the cut-off value of CD(19) positive was >or= 20%, CD(19) positive rate was 13.6% (40/294) in AML, and 50% (32/64) and 3.5% (8/230) (P < 0.001) in t (8; 21) AML and control group. (4) CD(19)(+) and/or CD(34)(+) t (8; 21) AML accounted for 90.6% (58/64) of t (8; 21) AML and CD(19)(-)/CD(34)(-) for 9.6% (6/64).
Conclusion: In t (8; 21) AML, especially M(2)/t (8; 21), CD(19) and CD(34) expressions were high. CD(19) was one of predictive markers of t (8; 21) AML.