Correlative patterns of leukocyte counts at presentation and relapse in acute myelogenous leukemia.

Abstract

Patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) present with various levels of peripheral leukocyte and myeloblast counts which relate to their clinical outcomes. We have compared leukocyte and blast cell counts at the times of presentation and relapse and demonstrated that the pattern of first relapse in AML is not random; the leukocyte/blast counts at presentation and relapse in AML are associated, indicating the stability of this clinical parameter. Thus, levels of leukocytes and blasts may reflect heritable biologic characteristics of the leukemic clone. Recognition that the magnitude of the initial leukocyte count in AML is a prognostic factor which correlates with the pattern of relapse and remission duration in AML suggests that this feature should provide a useful clinical and biologic index for stratifying patients with AML.