Mixed-phenotype acute leukemia: clinical and laboratory features and outcome in 100 patients defined according to the WHO 2008 classification

Blood. 2011 Mar 17;117(11):3163-71. doi: 10.1182/blood-2010-10-314682. Epub 2011 Jan 12.

Abstract

The features of 100 mixed-phenotype acute leukemias (MPALs), fulfilling WHO 2008 criteria, are documented. Myeloid and T-lineage features were demonstrated by cytoplasmic myeloperoxidase and CD3; B-lineage features were demonstrated by at least 2 B-lymphoid markers. There were 62 men and 38 women; 68% were adults. Morphology was consistent with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL; 43%), acute myeloid leukemia (AML; 42%), or inconclusive (15%). Immunophenotyping disclosed B + myeloid (59%), T + myeloid (35%), B + T (4%), or trilineage (2%) combinations. Cytogenetics evidenced t(9;22)/(Ph(+)) (20%), 11q23/MLL rearrangements (8%), complex (32%), aberrant (27%), or normal (13%) karyotypes. There was no correlation between age, morphology, immunophenotype, or cytogenetics. Response to treatment and outcome were available for 67 and 70 patients, respectively; 27 received ALL, 34 AML, 5 a combination of ALL + AML therapy, and 1 imatinib. ALL treatment induced a response in 85%, AML therapy in 41%; 3 of 5 patients responded to the combination therapy. Forty (58%) patients died, 33 of resistant disease. Overall median survival was 18 months and 37% of patients are alive at 5 years. Age, Ph(+), and AML therapy were predictors for poor outcome (P < .001; P = .002; P = .003). MPAL is confirmed to be a poor-risk disease. Adults and Ph(+) patients should be considered for transplantation in first remission.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Blast Crisis / immunology
  • Blast Crisis / pathology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cytogenetic Analysis
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping*
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / classification*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / immunology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / pathology*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / therapy
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • World Health Organization