Evolution of bone marrow fibrosis and stromal antigenic expression in chronic myeloid leukemia on alpha interferon and Ara-C therapy.

We conducted a retrospective study to assess the changes in bone marrow (BM) stromal antigenic profile and fibrosis in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) under combined interferon-alpha (IFN) and Ara-c therapy. Bone marrow biopsies were taken before therapy and twice (at 4 and 15 months) during therapy in 10 CML patients and compared with non-CML samples. Collagen and reticulin fibrosis was assessed by histochemical methods and phenotypic changes were studied by immunohistochemistry (APAAP) with antibodies directed against endothelial cell antigens, cell adhesion molecules, and HLA-DR. It was found that: (1) BM endothelial cells in patient and in control specimens showed a specific pattern of antigen expression: high expression of FVIII and CD34 (except on sinusoids for the latter), variable expression of UEA I, and no expression of HLA-DR and E-selectin. (2) Compared to non-CML controls, CML specimens at diagnosis showed an increased reticulin fibrosis and a decreased expression of CD61 on megakaryocytes and of CD31 on vessels and hemopoietic cells. (3) Treatment did not influence BM fibrosis, the vascular content of the BM, or the expression of the antigens tested except an increase in the number of CD34+ sinusoids (5/10 patients), an increase in the number of HLA-DR+, and a decrease in the number of CD34+ hemopoietic cells (6/10). (4) On therapy, difficulty in aspiration and/or reduced BM fragment numbers were noted in 8 of 10 patients whose bone marrow was still normocellular or slightly hypercellular. In conclusion, CML samples at diagnosis showed increased fibrosis and decreased CD31 and CD61 expression compared to controls. During the period of observation, combined therapy did not modify BM fibrosis; however, an increase in CD34+ sinusoids and a decrease in CD34+ hemopoietic cells were noted.