Objective: To explore the expression of CD(117) on different types of leukemia and its significance.
Methods: CD(117) expression was analysed by three-color flow cytometry with CD(45)/SSC gating strategy.
Results: CD(117) was expressed in 68% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 80% of chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis (CML-BC) cases, but in only 2% of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases. CD(117) was negative in CML in chronic phase and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cases in AML, CD(117) was expressed in 72% of M(0)/M(1), 88% of M(2), 50% of M(4), 75% of M(5a), 100% of M(6) and 100% of M(7) cases but was less expressed in M(3) (39%) and M(5b) (29%) cases. Expression of CD(117) was more frequent than CD(34) and HLA-DR in M(3) and some M(2) cases. There was a significant inverse relationship between CD(117) and CD(14) expression in AML.
Conclusions: Analysis of CD(117) expression may be of help in distinguishing myeloid from lymphoid leukemia and leukemia clone from normal cells.