DNA Ploidy and Apoptosis in Vivo in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between DNA ploidy and apoptosis in vivo in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). METHODS: Using flow cytometry, the assay of apoptosis of bone marrow lymphoblasts of 22 children with recent onset ALL before and after chemotherapy was done. RESULTS: No apoptotic cell was found in any of the cases before chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, the percentage of apoptotic cells in hyperdiploid cases with DNA index (DI) 1.16 ～ 1.6 ( 22.06% ± 8.98% ) was higher compared with that of non hyperdiploid cases with DI< 1.16 or DI> 1.6 ( 9.38% ± 10.27% )(P< 0.01 ).CONCLUSIONS: Hyperdiploid lymphoblasts are easier to undergo apoptosis in vivo, which is responsible for a good prognosis in childhood hyperdiploid ALL.