ENZYME HISTOCHEMISTRY OF NON‐HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMAS

Abstract

Fifty-two cases of non-Hodgkin''s lymphomas [in humans] were studied with enzyme histochemical methods. Of these, 44 were also investigated for surface markers with immunological techniques and results of histochemical, routine histological and immunological observations were correlated. Of 27 B [bone marrow-derived] cell lymphomas, 21 showed prominent ATPase activity, while all 13 T [thymus-derived] cell lymphomas but 1 did not show such activity. Nodular lymphomas, though of B cell nature, were often negative for ATPase and remained negative after diffuse evolution in some. Four of 7 AlPase [alkaline phosphatase] positive lymphomas were of B cell origin. Dot-like localized AcPase [acid phosphatase] and .beta.-glucuronidase activity characterized T cell lymphomas while 5 T cell PDL [poorly differentiated lymphocytic], including lymphoblastic type with double markers, showed localized esterase activity. Enzyme histochemical characteristics of lymphomas were a fairly honest reflection of those of various functional units in normal lymph nodes. Enzyme histochemical methods appeared to be a useful tool for the study of lymphomas.