Abstract
We have analyzed the distribution of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) in 30 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), in connection with morphology, cytochemistry, and cytogenetics. All cases in preleukemic phase were strictly TdT-negative. At variance, 4 (19%) of 21 cases with subsequent leukemia were TdT-positive and showed a pure lymphoid (one case) or a mixed lymphoid-myelomonocytic (three cases) morphology. The TdT enzymatic activity ranged from 2 to 21 U/108 cells and the percent of positive cells in the immunofluorescence test ranged from 10 to 80% of total. All cases were Philadelphia chromosome-negative. The clonal origin of MDS from the pluripotent stem cell, capable of originating both a lymphoid and myeloid progeny, is further corroborated.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 187-190 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | American Journal of Hematology |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - 1985 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hematology