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1. Acute leukemias have been defined as major types of lymphoblastic and myeloblastic leukemias according to morphological and cytochemical criteria. 2. The technical improvements and standardization of immunofluorescence and immunocytology staining methods have provided new insights for classifying these disorders on the basis of monoclonal antibodies. 3. The scheme used to describe normal lymphoid and myeloid differentiation, when also used to describe their malignant counterparts, provides a well-established model for the immunological classification of acute leukemias. 4. In this review article, we suggest some guidelines for performing a series of cytochemical reactions using immunological markers to ensure a reliable diagnosis of acute leukemia.

8 patients with bone marrow failure after a caesium-137 radiation accident were treated with recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rHuGM-CSF). The 7 who were evaluable had prompt increases in granulocytes and bone marrow cellularity. 2 patients died of radiation toxicity and haemorrhage and 2 of bacterial sepsis acquired before the start of rHuGM-CSF treatment. 4 patients survive, including 2 who were treated early and never became infected. This therapeutic approach to radiation-induced granulocytopenia may therefore be useful after radiation and nuclear accidents.