title: Minimal Coexpression of CD34+/CD56+ in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Is Associated With Relapse.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Surface CD56 expression on leukemic cells in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) is considered an indicator of poorer outcome even in patients receiving conventional treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present case, at initial diagnosis, the hallmark phenotype of APML was found (strong CD33 and cytoplasmic MPO expression, absence of HLA-DR expression).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both CD34 and CD56 antigen expression was considered negative. The patient relapsed 3 years after reaching complete remission, and the hallmark surface antigen combination for APML was again found. In contrast, the leukemic cells now clearly coexpressed CD34 and CD56. Retrospective analysis revealed the presence of small CD34+ and CD56+ populations at initial diagnosis (<20%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case report suggests that the presence of a clone with minimal coexpression of CD34/CD56 in APML at initial diagnosis should not be neglected since it may be associated with earlier relapse.
authors.affiliation: From the Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. Thomas.Maenhout@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Maenhout
authors.affiliation: From the Departments of Laboratory Medicine and.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.affiliation: From the Departments of Laboratory Medicine and.
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Van Haute
authors.affiliation: From the Departments of Laboratory Medicine and.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Desmet
authors.affiliation: Hematology, AZ Delta Hospital Roeselare-Menen, Roeselare, Belgium; and.
authors.forename: Dries
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deeren
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
keywords: Acute promyelocytic myeloid leukemia; CD56; Flow cytometry