Prognostic Value of in Vitro Bone Marrow Culture in Refractory Anaemia with Excess of Myeloblasts

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Abstract
Bone marrow from 17 patients with refractory anemia with excess of myeloblasts (RAEM) was cultured in methylcellulose semi-solid medium. Compared with normal bone marrow, 3 patterns of growth occurred corresponding with different clinical stages of the condition. Patients whose bone marrow grew normal colonies and those who produced a predominance of microclusters had the longest life expectancy. Patients who produced a predominance of macroclusters had the shortest life expectancy with a high rate of acute leukemic transformation. Colony culture appears to be a useful prognostic tool in this condition.