Clinical and cytogenetic analyses of 45 adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Objective: To analyze the correlation between clinical features and cytogenetic finding of 45 adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and to assess the value of chromosomal examination for the diagnosis and prognosis.

Methods: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was utilized for detecting the BCR/ABL fusion gene and P53 gene. Median survival time (MST) of patients was compared using Log-rank test.

Results: Respectively, the MST of patients with white blood cell count (WBC) ≤30 × 10(9)/L, normal karyotype, or without a Philadelphia chromosome were significantly greater than those with WBC > 30 × 10(9)/L, abnormal karyotype or Philadelphia chromosome (P< 0.05).

Conclusions: WBC, karyotype abnormalities and presence of Philadelphia chromosome are independent factors for the prognosis of ALL in adult patients.