The CD9 + CD11b - HLA-DR - immunophenotype can be used to diagnose acute promyelocytic leukemia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immunophenotypic characteristics of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and explore the sensitivity and specificity of various antibody combinations for the timely and accurate diagnosis APL.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using morphological, immunological, genetic, and molecular biological data from 92 patients diagnosed with APL and 190 controls diagnosed with non-APL acute myeloid leukemia.

RESULTS: For APL diagnosis, the CD9/CD11b/human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR antibody combination had 85% sensitivity and 95% specificity, AUC = 0.85. However, the sensitivity and specificity were 39% and 92%, AUC = 0.65, respectively, for the HLA-DR/CD34/CD117 combination, and 80% and 80%, AUC = 0.80, respectively for the CD11b/HLA-DR combination. Significant differences were observed between the different antibody combinations.

CONCLUSIONS: The CD9/CD11b/HLA-DR antibody combination displays high sensitivity and specificity and can be used to diagnose APL.