Diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using flow cytometry

Hamad, Hala Mahdi

doi:10.37652/juaps.2026.166593.1806

	Diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using flow cytometry
Journal of University of Anbar for Pure Science
Volume 20, Issue 2, August 2026, Pages 123-135 PDF (771.89 K)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.37652/juaps.2026.166593.1806
Author
Hala Mahdi Hamad^*
Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Anbar, Anbar, Iraq
Abstract
The diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is frequently suspected and occasionally confirmed using peripheral blood examination. The current study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic methods used for AML diagnosis. This study included 360 newly diagnosed patients attending the Hematology Clinic at Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Medical City. The cohort included 147 men and 213 women, with a mean age of 45.8 years and an age range of 17–76 years. Diagnosis and classification were performed using peripheral blood smear examination, bone marrow aspiration, and flow cytometry. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of bone marrow samples showed a distinct blast population on the CD45/side-scatter (SSC) dot plot, accounting for 70.0 ± 3.5% of gated events. The lowest blast percentage was 36%, observed in AML-M2 and AML-M6, whereas the highest blast percentage was 90%, observed in AML-M3. The most common FAB subtype in the AML group was AML-M0, accounting for 32% of cases, followed by AML-M3 at 26%. AML-M1 accounted for 7%, AML-M2 for 4%, AML-M4 for 12%, AML-M5 for 8%, AML-M6 for 5%, and AML-M7 for 7% of AML cases. A clear understanding of the pathological information required for AML diagnosis has become increasingly important for guiding treatment decisions and improving patient outcomes.
Keywords
AML; Diagnosis; Flow Cytometer

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