Prognostic value of circulating CD34+ cells in myelodysplastic syndromes

We Studied Circulating (C)CD34(+) cells by flow cytometry in 96 patients with myelodisplastic syndromes (MDS) at diagnosis, and in a Subset of 35 cases during follow-up. CCD34(+) Counts were stratified within both International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) and World Health Organization (WHO) categories. Counts > 10/mu l were associated with poorer leukemia-free survival, a prognostic value for evolution independent from that of WHO, and a higher progression probability within intermediate-risk IPSS and WHO classes. When serial measurements were performed, Counts > 10/mu l more frequently correlated to evolution. Separating newly diagnosed patients on the basis of 10/mu l cut-off of circulating CD34(+) cells retains prognostic, utility especially in intermediate-risk MDS. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.