IMBALANCE OF T-CELL SUB-POPULATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA OF THE B-CELL TYPE

Abstract

T cell enriched mononuclear cells from the peripheral blood of 20 patients with histologically and immunologically defined chronic lymphocytic leukemia of the B cell type (B-CLL) and 20 healthy individuals of various ages were investigated with T cell-specific monoclonal antibodies (OKT 4 and OKT 8) with regard to their subpopulation distribution. In B-CLL, a significant increase of lymphocytes reacting with OKT 8 could be demonstrated. There was a ratio of OKT 4 to OKT 8 of 1.72 in the control group; an OKT 4 to OKT 8 ratio of 0.67 was found in the B-CLL as a whole. With increasing clinical stage in accordance with the Rai scheme, a further displacement of this ratio in favor of OKT 8 positive cells was found. In peripheral blood of patients with B-CLL, an abnormal distribution pattern of circulating T cell subpopulations is present which has prognostic relevance.