Biomedical subjects

O Babusíková

Publications and source records attributed to O Babusíková.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Amplification of AML1 gene in association with karyotype, age and diagnosis in acute leukemia patients.

The AML1 gene, located in the chromosomal band 21q22, belongs to the runt domain family of genes and encodes the subunit of the core-binding factor (CBF). AML1 is normally expressed in all hematopoietic lineages and is essential for the transcriptional regulation of a number of hematopoietic specific genes. In acute leukemia three types of abnormality of AML1 have been observed -- chromosomal translocations, point mutation and duplication or amplification of the unrearranged gene. The most common origin of extra copies of the AML1 gene is polysomy of chromosome 21 or a partial duplication of the long arm of chromosome 21, less frequently ring, isochromosome or the tandem repetition of chromosome 21. In the study 13 children and 5 adults with ALL and AML or MDS, respectively, have been included. Using standard G-banding and dual color FISH analyses, gain of AML1 originated in polysomy of chromosome 21 in each group of patients was proved. True high-level amplification was not observed but some uncommon changes in noteworthy association with other chromosome aberrations, age or diagnoses were presented.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2006

The impact of cell heterogeneity and immunophenotypic changes on monitoring minimal residual disease in acute myeloid leukemia.

Monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD) becomes increasingly important for the more accurate stratification of the therapy in acute leukemia. The purpose of this study was to characterize in detail the phenotypes of heterogeneous population in various AML subtypes and to identify the leukemia associated aberrant phenotype (LAP) in individual patients with AML for precise investigation of MRD. The impact of heterogeneity of pathological populations, the effectiveness of location AML blasts on CD45/SSC dot plots in AML patients during follow-up and phenotype changes on MRD monitoring were evaluated in the second step. Bone marrow samples from 63 patients with AML were analyzed at diagnosis, 33 were selected for monitoring of MRD during follow-up and 13 analyzed at relapse using a wide antibody panel in quadruple combinations by multiparameter flow cytometry. In 88% of AML patients at least one LAP was defined at diagnosis, two or more aberrancies coexisted in 60% of them. The total number of LAPs identified by application of various combinations of antibodies was 112 (mean = 2.04 LAP/patient) and the median percentage of blasts carrying the LAP was 53.57%. In half of the patients, we were able to detect the presence of at least two subpopulations, which not always shared the same aberrancy. Although AML cells often have light scattering properties similar to those of normal (myeloid and B-lymphoid precursors, basophiles etc.) in a fraction of cases we found also very useful the location on CD45/SSC dot plots for MRD discrimination. In 13 patients relapse occurred and although we found in 69% changes of phenotype when comparing diagnosis and the first relapse, at least one LAP was constant in 92%. According to our observations, in majority of patients with AML monitoring of MRD by multiparameter flow cytometry is feasible although in some cases could present some specific difficulties owing to their immunophenotypic heterogeneity, similarity with other cell subpopulations or shifts at relapse. In conclusion, investigation of MRD should be based on the phenotypic characteristics of each subpopulation even if it is present in low frequencies.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2005

The knowledge on the 3rd type hematogones could contribute to more precise detection of small numbers of precursor B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Bone marrow hematogones (benign B-lymphocyte precursors) may cause diagnostic problems due to their morphologic and immunophenotypic similarities with neoplastic lymphoblasts. Hematogone populations in presented study containing 358 bone marrow specimens of 251 individuals always exhibited a continuous and complete maturation spectrum of antigen expression typical for normal evolution of B-lineage precursors; lacking aberrant or asynchronous antigen expression. In contrast lymphoblasts of 19 bone marrows of precursors B-ALL patients showed maturation arrest and exhibited several immunophenotypic aberrancies. Hematogones were identified by 4-color flow cytometry using optimal antibody combinations in many bone marrow samples. They were more commonly found in higher numbers in children, and there was found a general decline in hematogones with increasing age. Bone marrow hematogones were separately assessed as hematogones 1 population of early stage and hematogones 2 of mid-stage precursor B-cells, respectively. In some (about 30%) of hematogones a third type hematogones could be assessed in bone marrow samples. This small B-cell subpopulation was defined by CD10-positivity, coexpressing more mature markers CD19,CD20,CD22 and CD45bright. These cells obviously blended with those of mature B-lymphocytes (CD10-negative) on CD45/SSC, and could be better recognized on CD10-gating. Quantitative immunophenotyping of this study completed the percent antigen expression data in two main hematogone subtypes and lymphocytes in 16 bone marrow specimens and precursor B-ALL lymphoblasts in some samples. Increased information on benign B-lymphocyte precursors, especially that of existence of the 3rd type hematogones could provide a basis for better discrimination of B-leukemia cells even in a very small amounts.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

The value of dot plot patterns and leukemia-associated phenotypes in AML diagnosis by multiparameter flow cytometry.

The immunophenotypic features in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were investigated at diagnosis using a wide antibody panel including progenitor-associated, myeloid and lymphoid markers in quadruple combinations. Analyzed were bone marrow samples from 37 adult and pediatric patients for exact identification of AML blasts according their localization on CD45/SSC dot plots and aberrant immunophenotypes in various subtype of AML. We found the localization of AML blasts on CD45/SSC dot plots, which in combination with immunophenotype profile of blasts allow discrimination of several AML subtypes (M0-M2, M3, M4/M5 and other types). In 27/37 AML patients (73%) at least one leukemia-associated phenotype (LAP) was found, two or more aberrancies coexisted in more than a half of them (78%). Asynchronous expression was the most frequent type of LAP (77.8%, 21/27) followed by coexpression of lymphoid-associated antigens, which occurred in 18/27 (66.7%) patients. Presented study showed that leukemic cells of each AML patient had a unique antigenic profile and could be discriminated from their normal counterparts based on typical light scatter profiles and aberrant antigen expression that could further be used for detection of minimal residual disease.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2004

Antigen modulation followed by quantitative flow cytometry of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells after treatment.

Presented study analyzed the immunophenotypic characteristics and antigen density of peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) cells of 23 patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and 10 control subjects using flow cytometry. The patients were subclassified into two groups. Group I formed 13 patients with B-CLL at the time of diagnosis and group II 10 patients with B-CLL after the therapy but not in remission. For definition of B-CLL cells we used immunological marker analysis of surface markers characteristic for B-CLL pattern: CD5, CD19, CD20, CD23 and HLA DR and enumeration of fluorescence intensity of these markers given by molecular equivalent of soluble fluorochrome--MESF. In group II of B-CLL patients, who were already treated, in PB and BM somehow lower MESF values for CD19, CD20 and CD23 markers and higher MESF values for CD5 marker (in PB and BM) than in group I patients have been detected. The MESF level of HLA DR marker was little higher in group II than in group I B-CLL patients. However in PB and BM the percentage expression of HLA DR and CD19 markers in both patients groups was approximately the same. The values of HLA DR, CD19, CD20, CD23 and CD5 markers (% expression and MESF values) in both patients groups with B-CLL were significantly higher versus controls (p<0.001 resp. p<0.01) even in PB and BM. In conclusion, in our study we observed that the patients with B-CLL after therapy (group II) had similar or a little smaller (except CD5) but nonsignificantly decreased expression level of markers characteristic for B-CLL, but the MESF values of some of them (CD19, CD23) were significantly (p<0.05) decreased when compared with untreated B-CLL patients (group I). The determination of antigen density (MESF values) may be an important marker to characterize the leukemic cells. Our results showed that chemotherapy did not influence in a significant level the antigen modulation of B-CLL cells, however, could influence MESF values of some characteristic markers. Quantitative analysis of some markers in B-CLL cells seems to offer valuable information concerning possible influence of some chemotherapeutics on antigen equipment of leukemic cells.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The value of multiparameter flow cytometry of cerebrospinal fluid involved by leukemia/lymphoma cells.

The usefulness of multiparameter flow cytometric (FC) analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was evaluated in leukemia/lymphoma patients having central nervous system (CNS) involvement of the disease. In 12 specimens of 8 patients with different types of leukemia/lymphoma (one case of T-ALL, 3 cases of early B-cell ALL, one case of AML, and 3 proven or suspicious NHL cases) the presence of pathological clone in CSF has been confirmed or excluded. The phenotypic patterns of CSF cells were defined according to those of bone marrow (BM)/peripheral blood (PB) at diagnosis or during follow-up of the same patients. Furthermore, in one case of suspicious CNS infiltration of NHL, the pathological clone was characterized as a highly suspicious of solid tumor and was proved to be a lung cancer metastasis. The definition was made on the basis of CD45 (common leukocyte antigen) and other studied CD markers negativity. The exact comparison of immunophenotypic profiles of specimens from different sites (CSF, BM, PB) of the same patient has been performed and no phenotypic changes were found. In some CSF specimens, where no cells of suspicious pathological clone were detected, in 4-color analysis only normal lymphocyte population was found even in small cell samples (even if the cellularity was < than 0.3x10-6). In these populations the high values of T-cells (CD3+) predominated and the high prevalence of CD4+ over CD8+ cells, and an almost total lack of B-lymphocytes was found. Our results suggest that positive CSF immunology is a useful indicator of malignancy and reflects leptomeningeal involvement. Simultaneously we demonstrated that FC analysis of CSF in the aim to detect possible CSF seeding of leukemia/lymphoma is a reliable and quick technique.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed2004

Analysis of surface and cytoplasmic immunoglobulin light/heavy chains by flow cytometry using a lysed-whole-blood technique: Implications for the differential diagnosis of B-cell malignancies.

The study was aimed at the proper detection of surface and cytoplasmic clonal Ig light/heavy chains in the frame of multiparameter flow cytometry analysis of some B-cell malignancies. An exact direct evidence has been obtained that the leukemia cells following staining by antibodies to immunoglobulins will need to be washed to eliminate free plasma Igs. The results of proper Ig detection with simultaneous unaltered staining of further 2-3 markers on the cell surface after elimination of free plasma Ig in the whole blood sample are described. In differential diagnosis of some chronic B-cell malignancies and subclassification of some acute B-leukemias the detection of intracytoplasmic light/heavy chain Igs is required. The unique phenotypic structures of multiple myeloma (MM) cells have been utilized in our approach to detect cytoplasmic Ig light and heavy chains. A modified 2-step method for analysis of cytoplasmic immunoglobulin light chains by flow cytometry in MM patients was used and the method was extended for measurement of IgM heavy chain in B-ALL. For membrane staining in MM patients cells the combination of CD45-FITC and CD138-PE was used; the CD138 was found to be more specific than CD38 for MM cells. The whole blood cells were lysed, acquired on flow cytometry (first acquisition), then permeabilized by paraformaldehyde and saponin, and incubated with anti-kappa-FITC and anti-lambda-FITC antibodies and acquired again (second acquisition). In B-ALL patients cells in first step the combinations of CD45-FITC or CD22-FITC and CD10-PE have been successfully applied and after RBC lysis, acquisition and membrane permeabilization anti-IgA-FITC and anti-IgM-FITC were applied and cells were acquired again. The FITC fluorescence intensity of the second measurement was equal to the sum of surface CD45 or CD22 marker expression during the first step, and cytoplasmic clonal light or heavy chains expression during the second acquisition in both, MM and pre-B ALL patients, as well.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed2003

The interaction and functional properties of leukocyte molecules of human leukemia/lymphoma cells.

The expression of 82 cell surface molecules was analysed on pathological cells from 52 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T and B), acute myeloid leukemia (FAB: M0, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5), chronic myeloid leukemia, chronic myelo-monocytic leukemia) and non Hodgkin's lymphoma (T and B types). We have selected patients with a high leukocyte count and percentage of blasts. Staining for membrane molecules was done by the immunofluorescence method and evaluated by flow cytometry. The findings indicate that expression of membrane molecules on pathological cells is quantitatively and qualitatively different in individual cases. The leukemia/lymphoma cells in their crude from represent the main phenotypes of normal haematopoietic cells, which reveal the great diversity of immunophenotypes within the main functional characterization of blood malignancies. The immunophenotype heterogeneity of leukemic cells has proved to be much greater than the match with existing classification criteria, this fact could raise the necessity for further functional evaluation and specification of immunophenotyping of the leukemia/lymphoma cells. The concept of explanation of pathogenesis and pathophysiology of different types of leukemia/lymphoma cells on the basis that they are derived from normal haematopoiesis must be accepted, because the number of membrane markers and their functional properties are correspondingly convincing.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2003

Hairy cell leukemia: early immunophenotypical detection and quantitative analysis by flow cytometry.

UNLABELLED: The abnormal coexpression of the so-called 'HCL-restricted' markers (CD22+CD11c, CD25 and CD103) identified on monotypic, slightly large B-lymphocytes in the large cell-gate of dot-plots has previously been shown to be highly characteristic of hairy cell leukemia (HCL). The main aim of our present study was to determine if patterns with low levels of neoplastic cells in bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PB) are of a value the early diagnosis and/or detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in HCL. Next we wished to determine if quantitative immunophenotyping given by molecules of equivalent soluble fluoresceine (MESF) could help to distinguish pathologic B-lymphocytic pool from that of normal residual B-cells also in patients with low numbers of HCL cells. The abnormal immunophenotypes were studied in 174 specimens from 19 patients with suspect HCL or during follow-up of already treated patients. For evaluation of marker density fluorescent calibration microbeads were used. In 12 HCL patients (67%) permanent complete remission was observed after treatment. In 6 patients (33%) transient MRD+ phenotype was identified but the clinical manifestation of relapse was followed till now in only three patients. One patient was phenotyped just only at diagnosis. The pathological cells in low levels were found in 5 patients at diagnosis (in the range from 2 to 12%) and in patients with MRD+ phenotype they were recognized repeatedly in the range from 2 to 8%. Furthermore, we observed in hairy cells significantly higher values of molecule numbers of some B-cell markers, comparing to that of residual B-cells in nonleukemic lymphocyte gate of the same sample. We found profound and persistent CD4+ lymphopenia in all but one studied patients after CdA treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of PB and BM is highly sensitive and specific method and is capable to detect low levels of malignant cells in HCL. Quantitative analysis of MESF values of pathological B-cells comparing to normal residual B-cells seems to be another new marker of HCL in common, which is reliable detecting also small cell numbers in examined sample. A long-term decline of CD4+ T-cells correlated with the relatively low incidence of clinical progression of HCL.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed2003

Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) in relation to p53 and bcl-2 protein expression in leukemia patients.

The aim of this study was to assess the possible relationship between the silver stained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) and immunocytochemically detected p53 and bcl-2 proteins in ALL, AML, B-CLL and CML patients (adults and children) at the initial presentation. AgNORs are loops of DNA, correlated with proliferative potential of cells. Alteration in p53 and bcl-2 proteins expression may characterize the malignant potential of leukemic cells. The patients were subdivided according to the p53 positivity and negativity. The frequency of p53-positive patients was relatively low in T-ALL (29%) and B-CLL (16%). B-ALL, AML and CML patients revealed higher frequency of p53 protein (46%, 47% and 88%, respectively). The overall frequency of positive cytoplasmic staining for bcl-2 protein was demonstrated in the majority of patients. No significant differences in the percentage of p53-positive cells among leukemia subtypes were seen. The proportion of bcl-2 protein positive cells did not differ significantly among various leukemia subtypes, except for significant differences between p53-positive and p53-negative peripheral blood (p=0.0073) and bone marrow (p=0.0175) cells of B-CLL patients. The samples from healthy subjects used as controls exhibited relatively low numbers of AgNOR dots in both, peripheral blood and bone marrow cells. Highly significant differences in AgNOR quantities between healthy donors and p53 protein positive peripheral blood as well as bone marrow cells of distinct leukemia subtypes (except for bone marrow cells in B-CLL patients, p=0.1727) were observed. Significant differences in AgNOR count between p53 protein positive and p53 protein negative samples of peripheral blood cells of B-ALL (p=0.0099) as well as B-CLL (p=0.0117) cases were found. No significant differences (except for B-CLL, p=0.0558) were encountered in bone marrow cells. P53 protein positivity or negativity did not influence the amount of AgNOR proteins in cells of our T-ALL and AML cases. Mutual comparing the number of AgNOR dots among different leukemias showed that for both peripheral blood and bone marrow cells the differences between ALL and AML (p=0.0383 and p=0.0033, respectively) as well as for peripheral blood of AML and CML (p=0.0302) were statistically significant. The bcl-2 protein positivity did not affect significantly the AgNOR distribution either in p53 protein positive or p53-negative cases of our leukemia patients. However, an association between the lowest AgNOR quantity and highest bcl-2 protein expression in p53-negative B-CLL patients was seen for both peripheral blood and bone marrow cells. The correlation between relatively high AgNOR numbers and relatively increased percentage of bcl-2 protein in the p53-positive cases of CML patients was found in some cases. Regarding the age and sex, the AgNOR distribution in p53-positive and p53-negative leukemia cases in children and adults showed neither relationship nor dependence. The WBC count differed evidently among distinct leukemia subtypes, with enormous heterogeneity in range as well. Larger studies are needed in order to consolidate these preliminary results and characterize the possible prognostic value of AgNOR in association with p53 and bcl-2 proteins expression.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Multiparametric flow cytometry in detection of minimal residual disease in acute lymphoblastic leukemia of early B-cell phenotype.

Leukemic cells can be distinguished from normal hematopoietic cells on the basis of chromosomal or molecular abnormalities, antigen receptor gene rearrangements and immunophenotype. Set of 3-, 4-combination of monoclonal antibodies was used for exact definition of immunophenotypic characteristics of B-cells populations from healthy donors and aberrant, asynchronous, over/under-expressed phenotypes and detection changes in intensity expression of markers that characterized pathological leukemic B-cells at diagnosis. These differences in normal and abnormal cell patterns were very important and could be utilized for analysis of minimal residual disease. On the basis of these findings we were able to clearly distinguish residual leukemic cells from hematogones (healthy B-lymphocyte precursors) too. We also verified that in some cases the CD58 marker is overexpressed on CD10+, CD34+ blast cells at diagnosis and can be feasible used for detection of minimal residual disease (MRD).

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed2002

The analogy in cell immunophenotype and parameters of cell cycle of ectopic thymus, normal thymus, and some acute lymphoblastic leukemia of T-phenotype.

In our study we described the immunophenotypic characteristics of an ectopic thymus found in an eight month old male baby. Comparing with the results of normal thymic cells we did not found any difference or abnormalities in the phenotype. A brief discussion of theories of histogenesis and possible differential diagnosis of ectopic thymus is included. The most common immune pattern of both, ectopic and normal thymuses, was expression of TdT,CD7,cCD3,CD1 and dual CD4/CD8. Early results of immunological examination confirmed by histopathology stated the diagnosis of ectopic thymus and excluded other causes (infection, trauma, neoplasm and congenital abnormalities). The study of both, ectopic and normal thymic tissue provides a perfect model for comparative analysis of some T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Both, thymocytes and some cases of our T-ALL (20 of 48 examined T-ALL) had a specific late cortical T-cell phenotype. We observed new qualities of both, thymic cells and T-ALL cells of a late cortical phenotype that resulted in cell populations localized in the so-called "empty spaces", in fluorescence histograms, that might be discriminated from internal T-cell populations with normal antigen expression. An important sign of T-ALL in common is to display aberrant marker combinations and the tendency to drop specific normal T-cell antigens. Aberrant markers were present in our study in a phenotypic group of a late cortical T-ALL in 11 cases (55.0%) of the 20 studied. As aberrant markers we observed mostly CD10, CD34, HLA-DR and CD13. Furthermore, the tendency to drop specific normal T-cell markers could be recognized in one case of a late cortical T-ALL in the form of TCRab and TCRgd absence. DNA analysis did not reveal any changes in proliferation index either in thymocytes (normal or ectopic), or in T-ALL of a late cortical T-cell phenotype. Based on our findings the clinical utility of comparing the results obtained from the immunophenotypic characterization of healthy hematopoietic and leukemia cells can be concluded. An exact and early diagnosis of hematopoietic disorders (ectopic thymus, T-ALL and T-NHL) and identification of identical phenotypic patterns at different times (for more exact minimal residual disease detection during and after therapy) could be obtained.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed2002

Immunocytochemical detection of bcl-2 and p53 proteins in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients.

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is a disease with variable course and prognosis. It may be important to predict the possible risk of disease progression in individual patients. We have investigated by immunocytochemistry the bcl-2 and p53 protein expression in 53 B-CLL patients at the time of initial diagnosis. All B-CLL cases were bcl-2 protein positive. The relatively high frequency of p53 protein immunoreactivity was observed (17 of 53 cases; 32%). The percentage of bcl-2 and p53 protein positive cells remarkably varied in individual patients. The heterogeneity in the percentage of bcl-2 as well as p53 positive cells showed to be important in the analysis of mutual relation of these proteins. Noteworthy results were obtained when the group of p53 positive B-CLL patients was analyzed according to the percentage of p53 positive cells (less than 20% and more than 20%, respectively). An inverse relationship between a higher accumulation of p53 and repressed bcl-2 expression and vice versa was observed. The male patients (female patients were not assessed because of the limited number of p53 positive cases) with less than 20% p53 immunoreactive cells revealed a high percentage of bcl-2 protein (p=0.0008). The higher incidence (over 20%) p53 positive cells correlated with lowered percentage of bcl-2 positive cells (p=0.0368). When the patients were subdivided according to p53 positivity and negativity, the majority of p53 positive cases were males (82%), with significantly higher WBC count (p=0.0362). No significant effect of higher or lower WBC counts on bcl-2 and p53 expression was observed. However, the expression of bcl-2 protein was significantly higher in female patients under 50 years (p=0.0012). Regarding the patients of age 50, a significant difference in WBC count was shown in males (p=0.0590). The peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from healthy subjects used as controls, exhibited undetectable, to low proportion of bcl-2 and p53 positive cells. Comparing the percentage of bcl-2 as well as p53 positive cells in controls and those of B-CLL patients, the significant difference for both proteins was observed (p=0.0009 and p=0.0001, respectively). The results of this study indicate that the overexpression of p53 protein may contribute to the downregulation of bcl-2 in a subgroup of our B-CLL patients. Considering the small numbers of tested p53 positive cases, it would be necessary to confirm our findings in a larger cohort of patients with longer follow up. Thus it would be possible to confirm our expectation of a possible value of the simultaneous aberrant expression of bcl-2 and p53 as useful predictors of future aggressive behavior of B-CLL.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Shifts in expression of immunological cell markers in relapsed acute leukemia.

The immunophenotypic features of leukemia blast cells were analyzed in a group of 156 patients with different immunological subtypes of acute leukemia, both lymphoblastic and myeloblastic. Of the 58 patients for whom immunologic studies were performed at relapse, 42 (72%) showed changes in the expression of immunologic markers. The minor shifts in B-ALL were observed most frequently and concerned of the loss of CD34 antigen in 17 cases and the loss of cALLA (CD10) in 7 cases of B-ALL at the first relapse. The acquisition of cell markers was not frequently observed, only in four cases could be seen. HLA-DR molecules remained relatively constant from diagnosis to relapse. In 2 from 3 T-ALL cases the loss of CD1 and CD2 markers, respectively, was noticed at relapse. CD5 and CD7 markers were relatively stable. In AML cases at relapse the acquisition of CD13 marker (in 4 from 7 cases) was often observed. It was interesting that comparing to the B-ALL cases, the loss of CD34 marker in AML cases was stray. In one case the acquisition of this antigen at relapse was actually observed. The major interlineage shift was detected in one case of B-ALL, that was newly diagnosed at relapse as AML M4 and presented different cytogenetic features. This case provides strong connection with the treatment, as more recently epipodophyllotoxins (vumon in our patient) have been linked to the development of secondary AML associated with a shorter latency period. The immunophenotypic changes frequently occur at relapse in all acute leukemia types. The shifts (loss or acquisition) in expression of individual markers at relapse are bound with the first diagnosis and may have a relationship to the treatment and are important for correct assessment of minimal residual disease.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Correlation of clinical picture (event free survival and overall survival) in childhood acute leukemia patients with immunophenotype and chromosomal abnormalities.

In a group of 102 children with different immunological subtypes of acute leukemia, both lymphoblastic and nonlymphoblastic, the clinical parameters - event free survival and overall survival were correlated with numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities. In a group of 80 ALL patients genetic abnormalities were observed in 40 patients, from those 19 of numerical type, 17 of structural type and 4 with both, numerical and structural anomalies. From the whole ALL group observed 23 patients (28.75%) died. In 10 died patients genetic abnormalities were found and in 6 cases less mature T-phenotype ALL has been documented. It seems, therefore, that immature T-phenotype with pathological karyotypes of all types of genetic anomalies presents the most risk group of patients of which all children died. ALL patients, as a whole, with pathological karyotype have shown significantly lower event free survival rate, comparing to the group of ALL patients with normal karyotype. Overall survival rate was also lower in the first group, but statistically not significant. In T-ALL patients, in both groups, with and without pathological karyotype, event free survival rate and overall survival rate were also lower in the first group, but statistically not significant. In B-ALL patients with pathological karyotypes vs. normal ones overall survival rate was lower in the first group, but statistically not significant. There was no difference in overall survival rate in these patients between pathological and normal karyotypes. In ANNL group of patients pathological karyotype was observed in 14 of them, with numerical anomalies in 6 patients, structural in 4 patients and both of them - numerical + structural in 4 children. From the whole ANLL group observed 11 (50%) patients died during the follow-up period (9 in relapse and 2 of treatment complications). From 11 died patients in 81.8% pathological karyotype was present. The prevalence of pathological karyotypes was observed in less mature M0-M2 ANLL subtype (71.4%). ANLL patients with pathological karyotype have shown significantly lower event free survival rate (in one of the two statistical log-rank analyses), comparing to the group of ANLL patients with normal karyotype. Overall survival rate was also lower in the first group, but statistically not significant. The presence/absence of CD34 marker expression in blast cells of our group of acute leukemia patients did not show any difference in event free survival and overall survival rates.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Aberrant markers expression in T- and B-lymphoid and myeloid leukemia cells of different differentiation stages.

The aim of the study was to ascertain if in T acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) of different differentiation stages the coexistence of aberrant markers correlate with the degree of leukemic blasts maturation. We evaluated the results of surface and intracellular markers in 42 T-ALL, 86 B-ALL and 71 AML cases. A large panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against T-cell, B-cell, myeloid cell and non-lineage specific structures has been used. Patients had dual-color flow cytometric immunophenotyping performed by FACStar flow cytometer. The correct immunological diagnosis of followed new cases before any treatment has been performed and simultaneously the presence of atypical/aberrant phenotypes has been studied and correlated with leukemia cells differentiation stage. A great deal of T-ALL and AML, in opposite to B-ALL cases, revealed a high proportion of atypical phenotypes (55, 75 and 36%, respectively), which are absent in nonleukemic cells. We found out that these atypical phenotypes were present in T-ALL, AML (not clearly in B-ALL) through all differentiation stages and so we obtained an evidence that they might represent an abnormal/atypical rather than an immature phenotype, as it was postulated till now by several authors.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Expression of CD26 and DPP IV in T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia: comparison of immunocytochemistry with enzyme cytochemistry.

Tile possible identity ofdipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) enzymatic activity and CD26 antigen expression in phenotypically defined T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells (T-ALL) was examined. For comparative studies, the combination of immunocytochemistry and enzyme cytochemistry methods was used. T he strong correlation between the CD26 antigen expression and DPP IV positivity in the majority of T-lymphoblasts in T-ALL patients was evident. No CD26 antigen was expressed on DPP IV negative T-cells. The variable CD4 and/or CD8 antigen expression, frequent CD5 and CD7 positivity and absence of surface membrane CD3 antigen were the characteristic immunophenotypic features of CD26/DPP IV positive T-lymphoblasts. Moreover, the clear CD71 and CD26/DPP IV coexpression suggested the association of CD26/DPP IV positive cells with proliferation. The immunophenotype of CD26/DPP IV positive T-lymphoblasts seems to be characteristic for the relative immature cell population. In addition, noteworthy was the slight disassociation between the very high CD26 antigen expression and moderate DPP IV activity in cells of some T-ALL patients. The possible existence of enzymatically inactive structures of CD26 antigen or inactive precursors of DPP IV detectable only by immunocytochemistry was discussed. Our study indicates that CD26 antigen expression is tended to identify cells with DPP IV enzymatic activity in T-ALL patients. The results provide some more information of CD26 antigen involvement in the pathology of leukemic cells via its DPP IV enzyme activity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

CD26 and DPP IV expression in T acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells: immunocytochemistry and enzyme cytochemistry.

Recent studies have revealed the dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) enzymatic activity of CD26 antigen. In this paper, the possible identity of DPP IV and CD26 expression in phenotypically defined T-ALL has been examined. The combination of enzyme cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry was used. The correlation between the CD26 antigen expression and DPP IV positivity in the vast majority of T lymphoblasts in T-ALL patients was observed. No CD26 was expressed on DPP IV negative T cells. The variable CD4 and/or CD8 antigen expression, frequent CD7 positivity and absence of membrane CD3 antigen expression were the characteristic immunophenotypic features of CD26/DPP IV positive T cells. CD26/DPP IV activity strongly paralleled the CD71 antigen (transferrin receptor, T cell activation/proliferation antigen) expression. The phenotypic features of CD26/DPP IV positive T cells are characteristic for the relative immature cell population. Noteworthy was the slight disassociation between the very high CD26 antigen J expression and moderate DPP IV activity in cells of some T-ALL patients. The possible existence of enzymatically inactive structures of CD26 antigen or inactive precursors of DPP IV detectable only by immunocytochemistry was discussed. Our study indicates that CD26 antigen expression is tended to identify cells with DPP IV enzymatic activity in T-ALL patients. The results provide information of CD26 antigen possible involvement in the pathology of leukemic cells via its DPP IV enzyme activity.

Cell Differentiation↗