A single-center cytogenetic study of 629 Chinese patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia--evidence of major ethnic differences and a high prevalence of acute promyelocytic leukemia in Chinese patients.

Cytogenetic information is important in the diagnosis, classification, and prognostication of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Data obtained from multicenter treatment trials are well published. In this study, we contribute cytogenetic data from a large series of 629 Chinese patients with de novo AML that were karyotyped in a single laboratory. A higher prevalence of acute promyelocytic leukemia was observed when compared with non-Chinese series. The difference was most prominent in the younger age group. Abnormalities at chromosomal region 11q23 and inv(16) seemed uncommon. These ethnic differences may indicate underlying genetic susceptibility to AML development and/or environmental differences. More comprehensive data on AML in the elder population are needed to assess the role of cytogenetics in predicting prognosis and guiding treatment in this large subgroup of patients.