Quantitative and dynamic evaluation of the granulocytic progenitor cell growth in agar in refractory anaemias and smouldering leukemia
Ghizzi, A.; Gorini, M.; Ascari, E.
Haematologica 66(4): 426-439
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0390-6078 PMID: 6797878 Document Number: 176263
Bone marrow CFUc [granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming unit] growth was studied in 13 patients with refractory anemia (RA) and in 8 with smouldering leukemia (SL). The CFUc growth on the 12th day was either decreased or increased in both groups of patients but the amount of growth did not correlate with the risk of developing acute leukemia according to the data in the literature. Besides the quantitative parameter, a dynamic one was evaluated: the percentage variation of clusters and colonies on the 12th day in relation to the 7th. All patients with refractory anemia and 2 with smouldering leukemia showed abnormal quantitative values of CFUc growth associated with normal dynamic parameters; 6 patients with SL, 4 of whom soon developed acute leukemia, showed abnormal quantitative values associated with abnormal dynamic parameters. Simultaneous consideration of quantitative and dynamic parameters during the RA and SL course allowed us to identify a phase at low risk of developing acute leukemia, if abnormal quantitative values are associated with normal dynamic parameters and a phase at high risk if both quantitative and dynamic parameters are abnormal.