Surface membrane characteristics and cytochemistry of the abnormal cells in
adult acute leukemia
DS Gordon and M Hubbard
Membrane marker and cytochemical analyses were carried out on the abnormal
cells from 70 adult acute leukemia patients. Such information may (1)
supplement standard morphology and serve as a basis for a new
classification scheme for acute leukemia, and (2) characterize the surface
membranes of granulocyte, lymphocyte, and monocyte "progenitors."
Classification of acute lymphoid leukemias solely on the basis of
morphology was unsatisfactory. The presence or absence of T- or B-cell
markers was helful in classifying lymphoid leukemias. Monocyte progenitors
were characteristically nonspecific esterase positive and Fc-receptor and
membrane-IgG positive, but poorly phagocytic. Promyelocytes and myelocytes
were frequently Fc-receptor positive and consequently positive for surface
immunoglobulin. Myeloblasts were characteristically Fc-receptor negative.
We conclude that surface membrane markers are essential in diagnosing
lymphoid leukemias and helpful in nonlymphoid acute leukemias, and that
cytochemistry is essential in delineating lymphoid from nonlymphoid
leukemias and in subclassifying the latter.
Volume 51,
Issue 4,
pp. 681-692,
04/01/1978
Copyright © 1978 by The American Society of Hematology
