What is the significance of the CALLA marker in leukemia diagnosis?

The presence of the CALLA marker (Common ALL Antigen), also known as CD10, is primarily significant in the context of leukemia diagnosis, particularly in identifying B-cell lineage. CALLA is a glycoprotein that is typically expressed in certain immature B-cells and is important for differentiating between various types of leukemias.

In the setting of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), particularly B-cell ALL, the presence of this marker can help confirm the diagnosis and is often used in conjunction with other markers to characterize the specific immune profile of the leukemia cells. This is crucial because the treatment approach for B-cell leukemia may differ significantly from that for T-cell or myeloid leukemias.

While other markers are indicative of erythroid or myeloid lineages, CALLA specifically highlights the association with B-cell lineage, providing critical insights into the type of leukemia and guiding appropriate management strategies.