Cytogenetic studies were repeated throughout the acute phase of chronic myelocytic leukemia in a 59-year-old male.
A major hypodiploid cell line of chromosome constitution 45, XY, Ph
1, -18 developed in association with acute transformation. When hematologic remission was achieved by the combination chemotherapy consisting of vincristine and prednisolone, the frequency of this karyotype was markedly decreased with increase of 46, XY, Ph
1 cells which had characterized the chronic phase of his disease. Relapse was accompanied by increase of the hypodiploid cells, which again decreased as reinduction was accomplished by the same chemotherapy. The second relapse was characterized by the evolution of a new cell line with a further degree of aneuploidy 44, XY, Ph
1, -18, -C in addition to the original hypodiploid cell line. Subsequently, resistance to vincristine developed and death ensued due to E. coli sepsis 14 months after acute transformation. A positive correlation was found between the frequency of hypodiploid cells and percentage of myeloblasts in the marrow during the entire course of the acute phase.
The clinical significance of chromosome analysis in patients during the blastic phase of chronic myelocytic leukemia was discussed.
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