Raman spectroscopy differ leukemic cells from their healthy counterparts and screen biomarkers in acute leukemia

•Raman spectroscopy characterize leukemia cells with non-invasively probing metabolites.•Raman spectroscopy could provide information to differentiate between leukemic and normal cells.•Comparing leukemic and normal granulocytic cells, potential markers containing MPO, phenylalanine and cytochrome C were found.•From leukemic and normal monocytic cells, a marker of phenylalanine was found and verified.