What cell surface markers are characteristic of B-ALL?

B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of B-lymphoid progenitor cells. The identification of specific cell surface markers is crucial for diagnosing this type of leukemia and for differentiating it from other hematopoietic malignancies.

The correct answer includes CD10, CD19, and CD20, which are all commonly expressed by B-ALL cells.

CD10, also known as common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA), is a marker for early B-cell development and is often expressed in B-ALL. CD19 is a pan-B-cell marker that is highly expressed throughout B-cell development and is critical for the identification of B-lymphoid neoplasms. CD20 is also a B-cell marker, prominent in later stages of B-cell development, and helps in confirming the diagnosis of B-ALL. The expression of these markers indicates that the malignant cells are indeed of B-lymphocyte origin, which is essential for diagnosis and can guide treatment options.

Other options represent markers associated with different cell lineages. For instance, the cluster of differentiation markers in the second choice indicates T-cell lineage (CD2, CD4, CD8), which is characteristic of