Clinical and laboratory features of adult biphenotypic acute leukemia

Abstract

Aim: To analyze the clinical and biological characteristics of adult BAL. Methods: We identified 22 cases (4.4%) of BAL from 496 newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients and compared them with patients with acute myloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Results: CD34 positivity was higher in BAL (87%) than in ALL (60%, P=0.04) and AML patients (63%, P=0.05). The median age in the BAL group was greater than in ALL (43 vs 31 years, P=0.04). Enlargement of liver, spleen and lymphonodes was more common in BAL (81.8%) than AML (46%, P=0.003). Cytogenetic analysis revealed abnormal karyotypes in 56% of BAL patients. The overall completed remission rate in the BAL group (65%) was lower than in ALL (86%, P=0.04). Conclusion: BAL patients showed a much higher incidence of older age, CD34 antigen expression, presence of Philadelphia chromosome, liver, spleen and lymphonodes infiltration and resistance to therapy. © 2012 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.