Biphenotypic acute leukaemia: a case series

Br J Haematol. 2007 Jul;138(2):213-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2007.06634.x.

Abstract

Biphenotypic acute leukaemia (BAL) is a rare type of leukaemia. Whether patients with BAL should be treated with regimens designed for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) or both remain unclear. We have reviewed the clinical data for 31 BAL patients. Most patients co-expressed B-lymphoid and myeloid markers. No specific chromosomal abnormality was identified. The majority of the patients were treated with regimens devised for treating ALL. Seven patients were treated with regimens designed for AML. Complete remission (CR) rates of 78% and 57% were noted respectively. The overall survival probability at 2 years was 60%.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Cytarabine / therapeutic use
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Leukemia / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia / genetics
  • Leukemia / mortality
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cytarabine
  • Vincristine
  • Dexamethasone
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Methotrexate

Supplementary concepts

  • HCVAD protocol