Of note, the majority of ‘M3-like’ leukaemias in this study were CD34–/CD117+ and HLA-DR–, a flow cytometry phenotype often described in association with AML-M3.48 Importantly the AML-M3 phenotype is mostly associated with the t(15;17) rearrangement,12 but it is important to note that occasional t(15;17) translocations exist which are associated with other AML subtypes,49 and even markers such as cCD3.50 This evidence concerns the gene CD34 and acute myeloid leukemia.