Clinical implications of monosomy 7 in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia

Abstract

A group of 18 patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia and the chromosomal aberration monosomy 7 in their bone marrow cells was compared to a group of control patients with the same disease but normal bone marrow chromosomes. The monosomy 7 group of patients had a higher incidence of fever and infections, and a higher white blood cell and granulocyte count compared to the control group at the time of diagnosis. The clinical difference between the groups continued over the first month of hospitalization. Complete remission was obtained in 12% of the monosomy 7 group and in 59% of the control group. Survival was clearly longer in the control group of patients. Monosomy 7 of the bone marrow in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia is therefore to be considered a bad prognostic sign.