We aimed to explore the expression of CD34 and its impact on the disease outcome in patients with APL. The study comprised 40 de novo APL patients. Diagnostic tools included peripheral blood and bone marrow morphology and cytochemistry, immunophenotyping, cytogenetic studies, and PML/RARα fusion gene detection using RT-PCR. CD34 was expressed in 13 (32.5%) of cases with higher expression in M3v compared to M3 subtype. All M3v cases were CD34+, while only 7.4% of M3 cases were CD34+. CD34+ cases were associated with significant higher white blood cell count and peripheral blood promyelocytes. No significant association was found between PML/RAR-α isoform and molecular remission. CD34+ expression was significantly associated with decreased incidence of molecular remission and increased incidence of early death. The overall survival of patients with WBC count >11 × 103/μl was inferior to patients with WBC count <11 × 103/μl, but no significant differences were observed in overall survival between CD34- and CD34+ or between bcr1 and bcr3 groups. Immunophenotypic analysis for CD34 could distinguish an APL subset with different biological characteristics and adverse prognostic outcome.

These findings suggest a possible role for Treg cells and EBV in the pathogenesis of B-ALL. Further studies are needed on the possible mechanisms of tumour genesis related to Treg cells and EBV in children with B-ALL.

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Background and Aim: The levels of thyroid hormones and their binding proteins are altered in patient with cirrhosis. We aim to study the changes in triiodothyronine level in HCV related cirrhosis and its correlation to the severity of liver decompensation. Patients and Methods: This study included seventy two patients with HCV related cirrhosis in three groups Group I: 24 patients with Child A class Group II: 24 patients with Child B and C classes without hepatic encephalopathy Group III: 24 patients with Child B and C classes with hepatic encephalopathy. Results: T3 level was significantly lower in group III than group I and II (0.74 ng/ml vs 1 and 1.3 ng/ml in group II and I in succession). The correlation between Child's score and T3 level was highly significant (r = −0.64, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Triiodothyronine level is lower in cirrhosis and its level is correlated to the severity of decompensation.