Hypergranular acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Report of a case and review of the literature

Ann Hematol. 1993 Dec;67(6):301-3. doi: 10.1007/BF01696351.

Abstract

We report a case of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with myeloid-like hypergranulation of blast cells. Like most of the "granular" ALLs described in the literature, the blast cells had L2 morphology and exhibited a common-ALL immunologic phenotype. The clinical findings at diagnosis were unremarkable. Cytogenetic analysis showed a 46XY karyotype. Molecular genetic analysis revealed T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma and immunoglobulin heavy chain rearrangements; no rearrangement was found at the TCR beta gene locus. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the BCR-ABL translocation was negative. The clinical course of the patient was uncomplicated. On standard ALL treatment protocol he achieved complete remission (CR) within 4 weeks, and he is currently disease free 8 months after diagnosis. The case contributes well-documented data to the characterization of adult "granular" ALL, with special regard to changes at the molecular genetic level.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Blast Crisis / pathology
  • Bleomycin / administration & dosage
  • Bone Marrow / pathology*
  • Gene Rearrangement
  • Genes, Immunoglobulin
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / genetics
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / blood*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / genetics
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / immunology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / pathology*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / genetics
  • Restriction Mapping
  • Tegafur / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
  • Bleomycin
  • Tegafur
  • Methotrexate

Supplementary concepts

  • BMFt protocol