Summary. Patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and myelofibrosis secondary to carcinoma (SMF) were compared with regard to circulating granulocyte macrophage progenitor cells (CFU‐GM) using in vitro tissue culture techniques. Although increased numbers of CFU‐GM had previously been well documented in PMF, few patients with the secondary variety had been studied. Our data indicate that there is an increase in circulating CFU‐GM in patients with SMF but it is significantly lower than in those with PMF.
It is suggested that in both conditions disruption of the marrow microvascular system results in a release of CFU‐GM to the circulation. In PMF stem cell colonization of the spleen with its consequent myeloid metaplasia may be responsible for the additional increase in CFU‐GM. The determination of CFU‐GM numbers may provide additional data to help to distinguish PMF and SMF in atypical cases where the distinction is unclear.
Patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and myelofibrosis secondary to carcinoma (SMF) were compared with regard to circulating granulocyte macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-GM) using in vitro tissue culture techniques. Although increased numbers of CFU-GM had previously been well documented in PMF, few patients with the secondary variety had been studied. Our data indicate that there is an increase in circulating CFU-GM in patients with SMF but it is significantly lower than in those with PMF. It is suggested that in both conditions disruption of the marrow microvascular system results in a release of CFU-GM to the circulation. In PMF stem cell colonization of the spleen with its consequent myeloid metaplasia may be responsible for the additional increase in CFU-GM. The determination of CFU-GM numbers may provide additional data to help to distinguish PMF and SMF in atypical cases where the distinction is unclear.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.