EBV‐Associated serological patterns in a burkitt lymphoma patient during regression and recurrence

Abstract

Three serological reactions have been followed in a Burkitt lymphoma patient during the clinical course of the disease, including long‐term regression, followed by recurrence and progressive growth, in spite of chemotherapy. Antibodies directed against surface antigens characteristic for EBV‐carrying lymphoblastoid cell lines of Burkitt lymphoma origin were assessed by blocking of direct membrane immunofluorescence. The level of surface reactive antibodies was high while the patient was in long‐term regression. It decreased to an insignificant level approximately half a year before tumor recurrence was clinically diagnosed. Immediately after the recurrence, it remained at a low level but increased subsequently and remained at a high level until the death of the patient. The anti‐EBV antibody level itself showed only minor fluctuations. Precipitating antibodies, directed against soluble antigen extracted from the EBV‐carrying Jijoye cell line, were absent during long‐term regression. They appeared soon after recurrence and remained at a high level until the patient died. Repeated biopsy specimens were taken after the recurrence. In the course of progressive growth, a coating of the IgG type was seen to accumulate on the surface of the tumor cells. Possible implications of these findings are discussed.