Atypical patterns of primitive marker expression in acute leukaemia
From haematologyetc.co.uk
| 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 |
| CD117 | Frequently expressed by AML blast cells (70-80% of cases) - where it can support myeloid differentiation, CD117 also has some value in establishing primitive differentiation as it is lost as cells mature |
| 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. | |