Clonal identification in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
AH Goldstone, BA McVerry, G Janossy and H Walker
In a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, two distinct types of leukemia
blast cells could be identified throughout the course of the disease. The
initially dominant type of blast cell was sensitive to chemotherapy; the
other was drug-resistant, gradually becoming dominant as the disease
progressed. The cell types could be clearly separated by their morphologic
and surface membrane marker characteristics. The same chromosomal
constitution was present in both types of blast cells, indicating a common
clonal origin. Additional chromosomal abnormalities were present in the
later stages of the disease, demonstrating that a distinct subclone had
proliferated. This study illustrates that in some cases of acute leukemia,
disease relapse is caused by growth of drug- resistant subclones that may
be clearly identified by changes in morphology and surface membrane marker
characteristics.
Volume 53,
Issue 5,
pp. 892-898,
05/01/1979
Copyright © 1979 by The American Society of Hematology
