Basophilic differentiation of chronic myelogenous leukaemia cells in vitro.

Peripheral leucocytes from 10 patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) were cultured in liquid medium and observed morphologically for 6 to 10 weeks. All cultures showed an increased proportion of mature basophils at about 3 weeks and most cultures consisted predominantly of mature basophils at about 5 weeks. The results indicate preferential basophilic differentiation of CML leucocytes in vitro and are consistent with basophilia frequently observed in CML patients.