Relationship between CD34/CD38 and side population (SP) defined leukemia stem cell compartments in acute myeloid leukemia.

•AML leukemia stem cells (LSC) as defined by CD34/CD38 expression, light scatter and Side Population (SP).•In CD34 positive AML therapy resistant LSC are enriched in CD34 + CD38-/SP compartment.•Frequency of these LSC decreases with decreasing CD34%, with concomitant increase of normal CD34 + CD38- SP stem cells.•Frequency of putative LSC compartment is median 5.1 per million in these CD34 positive AML.•In CD34 negative AML putative LSC compartment has CD34-CD38+/SP phenotype.