Myeloid-Associated Antigen Expression in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Coexpression of myeloid-associated antigens has been demonstrated in several studies on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The proportion of cases with this aberrant antigen expression (myA+ ALL) ranged from 5% to over 20% in pediatric series (Weiner et al. 1985; Ludwig et al. 1990; Pui et al. 1990; Wiersma et al. 1991) and was even higher in adult ALL (Sobol et al. 1987; Childs et al. 1989). The prognostic relevance of myeloid- associated antigen expression in childhood ALL remains controversial (Ludwig et al. 1990; Pui et al. 1990; Wiersma et al. 1991). In adults, however, myA+ ALL represents a high-risk group as demonstrated by fewer complete remissions and shorter survival time (Sobol et al. 1987; Childs et al. 1989). This prospective study of childhood ALL reports clinical features and treatment outcome in relation to myeloid-associated antigen expression.