CLONAL IDENTIFICATION IN ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 53  (5) , 892-898
Abstract
In a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 2 distinct types of leukemic 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 and clonal origin. Additional chromosomal abnormalities were present in the later stages of the disease, demonstrating that a distinct subclone had proliferated. 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.