Correlation between chromosomal pattern, cytological subtypes, response to therapy, and survival in acute myeloid leukaemia.

Chromosomal karyotypes were determined with standard G-banding in 103 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Abnormal clones were present in 52 (50.5%). Higher frequencies of abnormalities were observed in male than in female patients and in erythroleukaemia (EL) than in other subtypes of AML. Abnormalities were more frequent in myeloblastic (AMyL) than in myelomonocytic leukaemias (AMML) and mixtures of both normal and abnormal karyotypes were more common among elderly patients; these differences, though of marginal statistical significance, are consistent with previous reports. 9 of 10 cases with 5 or more aberrant chromosomes and 6 of 8 cases with unidentified marker chromosomes were either AMML or EL. Remission rates, median survivals and relative death rates were collated in 82 patients, in relation to the karyotype patterns NN (all normal), AN (mixed normal and abnormal) and AA (all abnormal). The differences between the groups did not reach statistical significance. Serial cytogenetic studies were performed in 10 patients. New karyotype changes emerged in only 1 of 6 relapses. 4 examples of t(8;21) and 2 of t(15;17) were found. 1 case of AMML showed trisomy 8 and double minute chromosomes. 1 case of EL showed 2 marker chromosomes with homogeneously staining regions.