Definition of the high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient by immunological phenotyping with monoclonal antibodies.

An accurate method of classification of the surface membrane characteristics of blast cells from patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia would allow a more definitive study of the nature of this disease. Monoclonal antibodies have been produced to the surface antigens of leukemic blasts form a patient with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Two antibodies of interest were obtained from this immunization. These two, in combination with a monoclonal antibody with anti-Ia specificity, have been used to obtain surface phenotypes for patients with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Preliminary results indicate that the definition of a high-risk group, using these antibodies, possible.