The Human T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma Virus, Lymphoma, Lytic Bone Lesions, and Hypercalcemia

Abstract

The human T-cell lymphoma (HTL) virus is a type C RNA tumor virus isolated from patients with malignancies of mature T cells. Three patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, hypercalcemia and antibodies to HTL virus are reported. One patient presented with idiopathic hypercalcemia of 6 mo. duration, 2 with striking lytic bone lesions and 2 with circulating malignant lymphocytes. Malignant cells from all patients had surface markers characteristic of thymic-derived lymphocytes (T cells), and all patients had natural serum antibodies to disrupted HTL virus and to 1 or both viral structural proteins p19 and p24. Patients with adult peripheral T-cell lymphomas, particularly those that present with hypercalcemia and lytic bone lesions, may have antibodies to the type C RNA human tumor virus, HTL virus.