title: Detection of residual disease in acute myeloid leukemia using light density gradients and culture assay.
abstract: For monitoring the effect of chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we attempt to detect minimal numbers of AML clonogenic cells (CFU-L) during remission using light density gradients combined with PHA-LCM methyl cellulose assay. Fifteen patients in complete remission (CR) of AML were studied: 8 patients with Auer Rods (AR+), and 7 without Auer Rods (AR-). The cluster/colonies ratio and the granulocytic maturation of cells from pooled colonies were not significantly different whatever the density cut used (1077, 1062 or 1059). In all the AR+ patients, few AR+ cells (.06% +/- .03) were observed in bone marrow cultures during remission, without differences between density gradients, but not before plating. These AR+ cells were not found in culture of AR- patient bone marrows nor in normal marrows. The serial studies performed in 6 patients (4 AR+, 2 AR-) were not contributive for relapse prediction. In 2 cases, the second examination failed to detect AR+ cells: one was performed after an autologous bone marrow transplantation and the other in a patient with prolonged CR (54+ months). A quantitative analysis of residual CFU-L with our technique requires a cytological examination of each colony, that is very time consuming and limits its routine use.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Cinétique et de Cultures Cellulaires, Service d'Hématologie de l'Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciaudo
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Marie
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ifrah
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thevenin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zittoun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology*; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014410:Tumor Stem Cell Assay / Q000379:methods*