EXPRESSION OF N-CAM (CD56) ON ACUTE-LEUKEMIA CELLS - RELATIONSHIP WITH DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTCOME

Expression of CD56 was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence method on bone marrow samples from 94 newly diagnosed patients with acute leu kemia (AL), including 59 acute myelogenous leukemias (AML) and 35 acut e lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL). CD56 was expressed on 17 +/- 18% (ran ge: 0-72%) of AML cells and 24 +/- 24% (range: 0-98%) of ALL cells, wi thout significant differences between FAB subtypes in AML, nor immunol ogic subtypes in ALL. Expression of CD56 was not associated with any c linical or biological characteristic at diagnosis, nor with prognosis in AML or ALL. We do not confirm previously described relationships be tween CD56 expression and initial characteristics and evolution of acu te leukemia.