Frequency and distribution of megakaryoblasts in FAB subtypes of ANLL: an immunocytochemical ultrastructural study.
BACKGROUND
Identification of early megakaryocyte (MK) precursors is difficult and conflicting. The prevalence of leukemias with a megakaryocytic component may be underestimated when conventional techniques are utilized. The recent development of immuno-ultrastructural procedures for simultaneous detection of platelet peroxidase reaction and specific platelet membrane antigens has increased our capability of recognizing blast cells of the megakaryocytic lineage.


METHODS
In this study the occurrence and distribution of megakaryoblastic in the FAB subtypes of adult "de novo" acute myeloid leukemias was employed to detect megakaryocytic precursors.


RESULTS
A megakaryoblastic proliferation was demonstrated in 8/42 cases (19%), with a much higher percentage than previously reported and an unusual distribution in the M2 subtype.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that megakaryocytic involvement may be found rather frequently when an immunocytochemical ultrastructural method is applied to the characterization of leukemias.
Tomasi
P
P
Istituto di Ematologia, Università di Ferrara, Italy.
Tallarico
A
A
Vasi
V
V
Scapoli
G
G
Castoldi
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004285:Dogs; D004798:Enzymes / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008533:Megakaryocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000032:analysis*; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; D004798:Enzymes; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D010544:Peroxidases