MONOCLONAL CLL B-CELLS MAY BE INDUCED TO GROW IN AN INVITRO B-CELL COLONY ASSAY SYSTEM

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  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 59  (2) , 247-249
Abstract
A simple reproducible in vitro B-cell colony assay system was used to evaluate B-cell growth in controls and patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). All 6 CLL patients studied formed B-cell colonies. The number of colonies was significantly less in patients than controls (66 .+-. 18 vs. 127 .+-. 8). CLL colonies were monoclonal and appeared to reflect the circulating malignant B-cell clone in patient group, while the 6 controls studied formed polyclonal B-cell colonies. Wright-Giemsa staining showed typical plasma cells to have developed in the controls but not in the patients. Cells from CLL patients retained a more lymphoid appearance. It is believed that investigations with this B-cell assay will provide the means for further in vitro evaluation of malignant B-cell proliferation in other lymphoproliferative disorders.