Cytogenetic Analysis of Erythroleukaemia in Two Children-Evidence of Nonmalignant Nature of Erythron

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Serial cytogenetic and cytological studies in 2 cases of erythroleukaemia in children indicated that erythropoiesis is not involved in the malignant process itself, but represents a response caused by unknown stimuli. A good correlation was observed between the percentage of aneuploid cells and blasts in mitosis, thus during the erythroid phase aneuploidy was minimal or absent, while during the myeloblastic phase a high percentage of members of the aneuploid clone was present. An inverse correlation between peripheral normoblast count and haemoglobin level indicated that erythropoiesis was under physiological control. Taken together these observations constitute evidence that, in the cases of erythroleukaemia studied, erythroid cells do not have inherent malignant properties. Cytogenetic analysis offers a tool for differentiating this type of erythroleukaemia from other forms of DiGuglielmo's syndrome.