The characteristic appearance and function of a cell or tissue. The antigens on the surface of a cell can be characterized by reacting the cell with a panel of monoclonal antibodies of known specificity. The cell lineage can be determined in this way. Methods to determine the immunophenotype of a cell include tissue immunoperoxidase staining and flow cytometry. Immunophenotype describes immunological characterization of the malignant white blood cell population.
The immunophenotype and chromosome abnormalities in the leukemic cells are very important guides in determining the approach to treatment and the intensity of the drug combinations to be used.