OBJECTIVETo investigate the cytogenetic features of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(8;21).

METHODSThe clinical characteristics of 154 cases of acute myeloid leukemia with t(8;21) in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. According to the chromosome karyotype, all cases were divided into three groups: the group without additional chromosome abnormality, the group with single sex chromosome loss and the group with additional chromosome abnormalities other than sex chromosome loss.

RESULTIn this study, according to FAB classification, there were 127 cases of M2 (82.5%), 15 of M5 (9.7%), 6 of M4 (3.9%), 4 of M1(2.6%) and 2 of M0(1.3%). Cytogenetically, 85 (55.2%) AML patients with t(8;21) had additional chromosome abnormalities. The most common abnormalities were sex chromosome loss, of which -Y was detected in 44.1% of the male karyotype and X in 27.9%. Beside that, there were 9 cases of 9q- (5.8%), 5 of +8(3.3%),3 of +4(2.0%) and 17 of other chromosome anomalies (11.4%). In the group of t(8;21) with additional chromosome abnormalities, 11 cases (35.5%) were non-M2 AML, higher than that in single t(8;21) group (17.4%)(P<0.05); however, there was no significant difference between the group of single t(8;21) and the group of t(8;21) with single sex chromosome loss(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONt(8;21) translocation is usually accompanied by additional chromosome abnormalities, particularly in M2; while t(8;21) with additional chromosome abnormalities other than sex chromosome loss is more frequently observed in non-M2 AML.