Cytochemical, immunological and ANAE-isoenzyme studies in acute myelomonocytic leukaemia: a study of 39 cases

This study reports the cytochemical, electrophoretic and immunological characteristics of blasts cells from 39 cases of acute myelomonocytic leukaemia (M4). The results indicate considerable cytochemical heterogeneity, particularly with respect to esterase (alpha naphthyl acetate and chloroacetate) activities and suggest that an increased serum lysozyme concentration is a more consistent feature. Investigations with a range of monoclonal antibodies also revealed some differences in expression of monocyte-associated determinants although it is considered that immunological assessments are more consistent than cytochemistry in the detection of monocytic blast cell components. Analysis of ANAE isoenzymes by isoelectric focusing was found to be of particular value in cases where interpretation of ANAE cytochemistry was difficult.