Monoclonal B Cells in Peripheral Blood in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Correlation with Clinical Features and DNA Content

Abstract

Peripheral blood from 69 patients with non-Hodgkin''s lymphoma was examined with respect to B and T cell markers. Evidence for monoclonal B cells was found in 29 cases, 8 of high grade and 21 of low grade malignancy according to the Kiel classification. Seventeen of 29 patients had a normal lymphocyte count. Using conventional staging methods 4 cases of the 29 were in stages II and III, all others in stage IV. The proportion of S-phase cells in peripheral blood, determined by flow cytometry, was found to be elevated in cases with a monoclonal cell population. Surface marker analysis of blood cells may be valuable as a diagnostic tool, as an indicator of prognosis and perhaps for the staging procedure of malignant lymphomas.