The neutrophil granulocyte in chronic myeloid leukemia.

The various functional, morphological, structural and enzymatic abnormalities, which can frequently be detected in neutrophil granulocytes from chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, have been reviewed. The analysis of the relevant literature has been made, taking into account the kinetic anomalies displayed by the CML myeloid cells at the various stages of maturation. A conclusion is presented which supports previously suggested hypotheses on how CML circulating neutrophils may have not reached full maturation during their stay in the bone marrow post-mitotic pool, even if they appear to be morphologically mature.