Acute biphenotypic leukemia

Acute biphenotypic leukemia (ABL) is a rare subtype of leukemia, a cancer that originates in the bone marrow and affects the blood. ABL is characterized by the presence of both myeloid and lymphoid features in the same patient, hence the term "biphenotypic".

Definition

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines ABL as a leukemia that does not fit into any of the standard categories of leukemia. It is characterized by the presence of both myeloid and lymphoid markers on the blast cells, which are immature cells that are supposed to develop into white blood cells.

Epidemiology

ABL is a rare disease, accounting for less than 5% of all cases of acute leukemia. It can occur at any age, but it is more common in adults than in children.

Pathophysiology

In ABL, the blast cells express both myeloid and lymphoid markers, which is unusual because these markers are usually exclusive to one cell type. The exact cause of this phenomenon is not known, but it is thought to be related to genetic abnormalities in the blast cells.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of ABL is based on the identification of both myeloid and lymphoid markers on the blast cells. This is usually done using a technique called flow cytometry, which can identify and measure the presence of these markers.

Treatment

The treatment of ABL is challenging because it does not fit into the standard categories of leukemia. The most common approach is to use a combination of chemotherapy drugs that are effective against both myeloid and lymphoid leukemias.

Prognosis

The prognosis of ABL is generally poor, with a median survival time of less than a year. However, some patients may respond well to treatment and achieve long-term remission.

See also

• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Acute myeloid leukemia
• Mixed phenotype acute leukemia