title: Auer rods and myeloperoxidase: an approach for investigating changes at the molecular level in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
abstract: Auer rods are cytoplasmic inclusions found only in the leukaemic cells of some cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The ultrastructure of Auer rods is different in different sub-types of the disease and it is suggested here that this may be a consequence of the Auer rods consisting of different crystalline forms of the enzyme myeloperoxidase. There is statistical evidence to indicate that patients with Auer rods have a more favourable prognosis than those without. It is proposed that an investigation of the factors that determine the form, if any, of the crystallisation of myeloperoxidase will lead to a better understanding of the molecular events underlying the different types of AML. In the long term this may in turn lead to a therapeutic advance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematological Medicine, University Clinical School, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Pearson
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000473:pathology*; D007948:Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009195:Peroxidase