Asialo GM1 as a Cell-Surface Marker in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

To the Editor: The study of Nakahara et al. in the issue of March 20 proposes that the glycolipid asialo GM 1 is a unique cell-surface marker for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and distinguishes these patients from patients with other hematologic cancers. Using a rabbit heteroantiserum to this glycolipid, they showed that lymphocytes from all 16 patients were positive according to immunofluorescence analysis, whereas lymphocytes from 44 patients with other neoplasias and disorders were negative. We have attempted to repeat these studies in our laboratory but have been unable to corroborate these findings. We examined the blast cells of six patients . . . No extract is available for articles shorter than 400 words.