Evaluation of bone marrow specimens with acute myelogenous leukemia for CD34, CD15, CD117, and myeloperoxidase - Comparison of flow cytometric and enzyme cytochemical versus immunohistochemical techniques

Context.-Immunophenotyping of bone marrow (BM) specimens with acute myeloge nous leukemia (AML) may be performed by flow cytometric (FC) or immunohisto chemical (IH) techniques. Some markers (CD34, CD15, and CD117) are availabl e for both techniques. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) analysis may be performed by e nzyme cytochemical (EC) or IH techniques. Objective.-To determine the reliability of these markers and MPO by these t echniques, we designed a study to compare the results of analyses of these markers and MPO by FC (CD34, CD15, and CD117), EC (MPO), and IH (CD34, CD15 , CD117, and MPO) techniques. Materials and Methods.-Twenty-nine AMLs formed the basis of the study. Thes e AMLs all had been immunophenotyped previously by FC analysis; 27 also had had EC analysis performed. Of the AMLs, 29 had BM core biopsies and 26 had BM clots that could be evaluated. The paraffin blocks of the 29 BM core bi opsies and 26 BM clots were stained for CD34, CD117, MPO, and CD15. These r esults were compared with results by FC analysis (CD34, CD15, and CD117) an d EC analysis (MPO). Results-Immunodetection of CD34 expression in AML had a similar sensitivity by FC and IH techniques. Immunodetection of CD15 and CD117 had a higher se nsitivity by FC analysis than by IH analysis. Detection of MPO by IH analys is was more sensitive than by EC analysis. There was no correlation of Fren ch-American-British (FAB) subtype of AML with CD34 or CD117 expression. Exp ression of CD15 was associated with AMLs with a monocytic component. Myelop eroxidase reactivity by IH analysis was observed in AMLs originally FAB sub typed as MO. Conclusions.-CD34 can be equally detected by FC and IH techniques. CD15 and CD117 are better detected by FC analysis and MPO is better detected by IH analysis.