Sialyl-Tn- and neuron-specific enolase-positive minimally differentiated erythroleukemia

Flow cytometric, immunochemical and molecular studies were performed on leu kemic blasts from a patient with minimally differentiated erythroleukemia ( AML-M6V), The blasts expressed CD36 and CD71 but not lymphoid antigens, mye loid antigens, CD41 or glycophorin A. Analysis of carbohydrate antigens sho wed that the blasts expressed the sialyl-Tn antigen. Immunochemistry reveal ed that the blasts had neuron-specific enolase (NSE). Serum sialyl-Tn and N SE levels were markedly increased. Finally, an erythroid lineage was confir med in the presence of alpha-globin messages in the blasts. Sialyl-Tn and N SE expression in leukemic blasts may be useful to identify AML-M6v.