DNA-flow cytometry studies in blood and marrow cells from chronic myelogenous leukemia patients treated with interferon alpha-2b.

Cell cycle distribution in bone marrow and peripheral blood mononucleated cells was studied in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) before and during treatment with interferon (IFN) alpha-2b. DNA-flow cytometry with ethidium bromide fluorescence was used. Highly significant differences between mononucleated cells from CML patients and normal controls were seen in peripheral blood but not in bone marrow specimens. Patients achieving hematologic remission during IFN treatment showed a cell cycle distribution in bone marrow cells and peripheral blood cells similar to normal controls.