Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Abstract

The blood lymphocytosis in CLL is caused mainly by a rise of immunoglobulin (Ig)-bearing leukemic lymphocytes. Most cells carry Fc-receptors, while the percentage with receptors for human complement is very low with the present technique. The leukemic lymphocytes carry only one of the light chain types, which suggests a monoclonal origin. CLL patients with lymphocytes expressing .kappa. light chains may have a more benign disease than .lambda.-CLL. T[thymus derived]-lymphocyte levels are high during the early course of the disease but decrease with its progression and are low in patients with active disease.