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Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia of T Cell Origin
Author(s) -
Geisler C.,
Ralfkiær E.,
Astrup L.,
Christensen I.,
Dickmeiss E.,
Hansen M. Mørk,
Larsen J. K.,
Petersen J.,
Plesner T.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1600-0609
pISSN - 0036-553X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0609.1983.tb01517.x
Subject(s) - azurophilic granule , lymphocyte , antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity , lymph node , monoclonal antibody , biology , cytotoxic t cell , immunology , cytoplasm , monoclonal , pathology , antibody , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , in vitro , biochemistry , myeloperoxidase , inflammation
Based on the literature and 2 patients studied, we suggest that at least 2 different clinical entities are included in the concept of T CLL: (i) a clinical variant characterized by a relatively benign course, splenomegaly without lymphadenopathy, low lymphocyte count and granulocytopenia; the proliferating lymphocyte is morphologically mature, of medium size and a cytoplasm with azurophilic granules staining positively for acid phosphatase and corresponding to parallel tubular arrays as demonstrated by electron microscopy. The cells form E‐rosettes, have no surface‐membrane‐bound Ig, but Fc‐receptors for IgG. With monoclonal antibodies, the phenotype is OKT 3 +, OKT 4 ‐ and OKT 8 +, theoretically corresponding to the suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocyte subset, but functionally the cells demonstrate killer cell (responsible for ADCC), but not natural or suppressor cell activity. (ii) another clinical variant with an aggressive course, massive hepato‐splenomegaly, lymph node enlargement and very high lymphocyte counts; the lymphocytes are small without cytoplasmic granules; their immunological and functional characteristics have not been determined, but morphologically the cells correspond to the T helper/inducer lymphocyte subset. Thus, involvement of different T lymphocyte subsets may be the reason for the clinical variation in T CLL.