抄録
In vitro colony formation of hematopoietic stem cells and chromosomal studies of bone marrow cells, and analysis of T-cell subsets of peripheral blood was carried out in 19 patients with MDS. According to the FAB classification, they were divided into five groups; PARA (6), PASA (1), RAEB (8), RAEB-T (3), CMMoL (1).
One case of PARA, 2 of RAEB and 3 of RAEB-T developed overt leukemia.
Even without addition of erythropoietin, many CFU-E formations, were observed in 6 cases and three of them showed leukemic changes. Twelve out of 18 cases showed chromosomal abnormalities. Three of them had major karyotype abnormalities (MAKA) and 2 from these cases developed leukemia. Level of serum immunoglobulins, IgG or IgA were increased in 11 out of 17 cases. The increment of OKT4/OKT8 (CD4/CD8) ratio was found in 7 out of 14 cases and three of them showed leukemic changes.
The study suggests that MDS is a result of both quantitative and qualitative abnormalities of hematopoietic stem cells, involving colony formation, chromosomal and immunological changes. The most important factors which contribute to the development of leukemia remains undetermined up to this time. Further studies are necessary to clarify the factors surrounding such disorders.
