Acute leukaemia types

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SECTION 1: Establishing the primitive nature of the blast cells in AML

Blast cells are recognised by morphology using features such as primitive nuclear or basophilic cytoplasmic appearances; similar principles are applied in flow cytometry where particular markers suggest a more primitive nature.

Table: Markers primarily used to confirm primitive nature in AML.
The expression of some markers is typically associated with primitive cells and can help recognise the primitive nature of blast cells. Note that these markers may also have some lineage specificity but are not generally used to assign lineage
CD45	A marker expressed by all leukocytes and their precursors. In AML expression is characteristically "weak" i.e. significantly less intense than normal lymphocytes or monocytes. In monocytic AML expression may be stronger, particular in mare mature monocytic forms where expression may resemble normal monocytes.
CD34	Frequently expressed by AML blast cells (40-80% of cases) - most often in less differentiated forms of AML. Expression is also seen frequently (and often more strongly) in ALL
Other markers: In the context of a proven AML diagnosis a number of markers may be expressed that reflect the primitive nature of the cells. Some of these are more frequently associated with lymphoid disorders, but providing other criteria for AML are met they should simply be considered to show "primitivness". These include: CD38, HLA-DR, TDT, CD7.

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SECTION 2: Assigning blast cells as myeloid lineage i.e. Diagnosing AML

In morphology other features are used to indicate myeloid lineage, some are highly specificsuch as Auer rods, others may suggest myeloid lineage but be less specific. Again similar principles apply in flow cytometry

There are two ways to make a diagnosis of AML

Requirements to diagnose AML by flow cytometry
Pattern 1: A myeloid lineage-defining marker pattern is present and No lineage-defining markers of T or B cells are present	See Table 1 for lineage-defining marker patterns in AML
Pattern 2: At least two myeloid lineage-associated markers are present and There are no lineage defining markers of T or B cells and No more than one: T-cell or B-cell lineage-associated markers are present	See Table 2A and Table 2B for lineage-associated markers in AML

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Table 1

Myeloid-lineage defining markers in AML
Lineage is defined by either the definite assignment to myeloid lineage or definite assignment to monocytic lineage. In each case there are specific criteria.
Myeloperoxidase is expressed	MPO is lineage-defining in AML (expressed in around 80% of cases)
Monocytic lineage can be assigned.	This requires detection of at least two of: CD14, CD11c, CD64, NSE, lysozyme*

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Table 2A

Myeloid lineage-associated markers (Main Set)
Each of these markers is supports a diagnosis of myeloid lineage, but are not AML-defining when expressed alone. However, in the absence of markers suggesting alternative lineage expression of two of these markers may be used to assign myeloid lineage.
CD117	An early marker of myeloid lineage, seen in up to 80% of AML and vauable in recognising more primitive differentaiion forms (note that aberrant expression is seen in up to 20% of ALL cases)
CD33	A good marker for AML, particularly for those cases with granulocytic maturation, CD33 is often less strongly expressed in AML with monocytic dfferentiation and strongly expressed in APL.
CD13	A good lineage marker for AML that is acquired a little later in differentation than CD117 or CD33; expression of CD13 is often higher than CD33 in AML with monocytic differentiation.

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Table 2B

Myeloid lineage-associated markers (Specific differentiation)
The markers already described above are sufficient to make a diagnosis of typical AML in most cases. Typically the markers in this table are associated with specific features of differentiation so will not be present in all cases, but may be helpful as "lineage-assocated" markers in difficult cases. Care should be taken when doing so, since in some cases specificity may be lower than for typical myeloid markers.
Additional features of granulocytic maturation
CD11b	A marker of both granulocytic and monocytic maturation, this marker has previously been associated with less good outcome in a number of studies
Addtional features of monocytic differentiation
CD11c	This marker is most associated with monocytic maturation in AML being fairly well corellated with CD11B, but overall probably less specific for monocytic differentiation that CD14
CD14	Primarily a marker of monocytic maturation in AML, seen most often in more differentiated forms, when present CD14 be considered a strong indicator of monocytic phenotype.
CD64	A good lineage marker for monocytic differentiation in AML, expressed in both monoblastic and monocytic forms, not fully sepicific when expressed at lower levels.
Features associated with erythroid differentiation
Most often CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR are weak or negative, although CD117 and CD36 are generally expressed. There may be some expression of platelet markers in some cases.
CD71	Frequently expressed though not fully lineage specific
CD235	A good marker of erythroid differentiation but acquired late and therefore may not be expressed
Features associated with megakaryocytic differentiation
Most often CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR are weak or negative, although CD13 and CD33 may be expressed
CD41	Platelet glycoprotein IIbIIIa
CD61	Platelet glycoprotein IIIa
CD36	Relatively non-specific (seen in erythroid and monocytic leukaemias) but often strongly expressed

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SECTION 3: When to consider alternative lineage assignment

The "aberrent" expression of lymphoid markers is frequently encountered in AML (and in some patterns of mutation these may be expected); however when non-myeloid markers are found it is important to consder if this changes lineage assignment. There are several conditions that should be considered:

When to consder an amended lineage assignment The criteria below are brief and only indicate where concern should be raised, please see link (in blue) for full information.
Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukaemia See: MPAL	Consider MPAL if: There is sufficient evidence to assign myeloid lineage but the cells also express either a lineage-defining marker of T or B cells, or more than one lineage associated marker of T or B cells.
Acute Undifferentiated Leukaenmia See: AUL	Consider AUL if: There is insufficient evidence to assign myeloid lineage, but there is expression of one myeloid-associated marker, and you cannot assign T-cell or B-cell lineage. I
Non-haematological malignancy See Non-haem	Consider non-haematological malignancy if: Myeloid markers are expressed but not conclusice, CD45 expression is very weak, the presentation is atypical.
Early T-cell precursor ALL See: ETP-ALL	The marker pattern is of a primitive T cell neoplasm with lineage-defining crieria, but there are also myeloid markers expressed

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