What is the WHO designation for FAB AML M2 according to the French-American-British classification?

The WHO designation for FAB AML M2 corresponds to acute myeloid leukemia characterized by the presence of myeloblasts with a specific genetic hallmark, which is the translocation involving chromosome 8 and 21 (t(8;21)). This genetic alteration leads to the production of fusion proteins that drive the leukemogenesis in these patients.

FAB AML M2 is associated with a relatively favorable prognosis compared to other types of acute myeloid leukemia. The identification of t(8;21) not only aids in classifying the disease but also has implications for treatment strategies and can influence the overall management of the patient.

Understanding this particular classification is vital for distinguishing AML M2 from other subtypes, such as those associated with different translocations like t(15;17) seen in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), or inv(16), which pertains to acute myeloid leukemia associated with myeloid and monocytic differentiation. While mixed lineage leukemia involves characteristics of both acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia, it is distinct from the specific genetic and morphological features seen in FAB AML M2.