A Novel Variant Translocation t(8;16;21)(q22;q24;q22) in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Expressing both Myeloid and Lymphoid Markers

We present a novel, rare but recurrent variant three way translocation of t(8;21), t(8;16;21)(q22;q24;q22), as a primary cytogenetic abnormality, resulting in AML1/ETO fusion gene in order to clarify the clinical features and outcome of these patients. According to WHO 2008 our case is described as AML expressing both myeloid and lymphoid markers, although according to EGIL scoring system is described as Biphenotypic Acute Leukemia. Our patient was considered as a high risk patient based on his single blast population with evidence of simultaneous myeloid and B-lymphoid differentiation, the unknown implications of t(8;16;21) and the discovery of minimal residual disease shortly after the last chemotherapy cycle. Eventually, he displayed an excellent outcome after allogeneic BMT and he is in an excellent condition 4 years post diagnosis. This case could be advisable for prognostic and therapeutic purposes.

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: an Experience on 95 Greek Patients Treated in the All-Trans-Retinoic Acid Era

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is highly curable with the combination of all-transretinoic acid (ATRA) and anthracycline based chemotherapy, but the percentage of early deaths remains high. In the present study, we report the clinical, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic and molecular characteristics and outcome of APL patients diagnosed and treated in various Hospitals of Greece and Cyprus

Leukemias associated with Turner syndrome: Report of three cases and review of the literature

Cases of leukemia associated with Turner syndrome (TS) are rare. Here we report three TS patients with leukemia including one case of T-large granular lymphocyte leukemia (T-LGL), one rare case of coexistence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL) and idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) and one case of a patient with AML-M2 who received autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT). T-LGL and coexistence of CLL and IMF associated with TS are reported for the first time while the last case represents the first report of SCT in a leukemia patient with TS. Our cases and the limited data of previously reported leukemia patients with TS suggest that TS is not associated with a specific type of leukemia and that presentation, clinical course and response to treatment are similar to that of the non-TS leukemia patients. However, these patients may have a higher risk of liver complications. Interestingly, in the mosaic TS patients, the abnormal clones were restricted to the monosomic 45,X cells, indicating that the leukemic clones possibly originate from the monosomic cell line. Even in cases with no additional chromosome abnormalities, the ratio of X/XX cells in bone marrow cells was significantly increased compared to that in constitutional karyotype, indicating that monosomic cells possibly provide a survival advantage for leukemia cells or that reduced programmed cell death may be responsible for the expansion of the monosomic cells. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved