CD34 and CD38 Expression on Blasts in Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Secondary AML

The expression of a “stem cell like” blast immunophenotype (CD34+/CD38−) has been associated with a poor prognosis in AML. Advanced myelodysplastic syndromes and secondary AML’s are another patient population with an inferior prognosis. We hypothesized that a stem cell origin of these disorders results in a higher incidence of a CD34+/CD38− blast immunophenotype. This could be biologically related to a higher chemoresistence. The data presented here shows that a “stem cell like” blast immunophenotype is rare in RAEB. In addition there is no significant difference between primary AML and secondary AML or RAEB-T.