Complex cytogenetics in a patient with mixed-phenotype acute leukemia

which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. A 35-year-old woman had 2-month history of fever and bone pain, with an 8-kg weight loss in one month. Physical examination revealed 7-cm palpable spleen (splenomegaly). On admission, her hemoglobin level was 13.4 g/dL, white blood cell count was 144×10 9 /L, and platelet count was 71×10 9 /L. Bone marrow biopsy showed diffuse infiltration with blast cells. However, two populations of blast cells was observed; one population was large-sized, had abundant granular cytoplasm, and a few had Auer rods; the other population was comprised of medium-sized blast cells with scant and agranular cytoplasm (A). Flow cytometry was performed. Gating on CD45-positive cells revealed: TdT, Bone marrow cytogenetics showed a complex karyotype in which t(9;22) and trisomies 8, 10, 17, and 21 were present (B). The diagnosis of mixed-phenotype acute leukemia with t(9;22) was made. Induction chemotherapy included vincristine, daunorubicin, cytarabine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and imatinib; however, she died due to neutropenic sepsis after induction. Mixed-phenotype acute leukemia accounts for 3–5% of all cases of acute leukemia and is associated with a worse outcome.