FLUCTUATIONS IN THE T-CHARACTERISTICS AND B-CHARACTERISTICS OF 2 CASES OF T-CELL HAIRY-CELL LEUKEMIA

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 39  (1) , 76-82
Abstract
A new case [human] of hairy-cell leukemia (HCL) in which the hairy cells (HC) formed spontaneous sheep erythrocyte (E) rosettes was described, and this E rosette formation was an active process independent of surface immunoglobulin (SIg). Sequential studies with a panel of markers of this and of a case of HCL with T[thymus-derived]-cell features previously described from this laboratory showed that both these cases, at certain times of study, possessed combined T and B[bone marrow-derived]-cell features. Extensive follow-up study revealed wide fluctuations in the surface phenotype of peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cells, while the total leukocyte count remained stable. At various times, the PB mononuclear cells showed the following phenotypes: E+SIg+.gamma.Fc+C3- [complement component 3] E-SIg+.gamma.Fc+C3-,E-SIg-.gamma.Fc+C3-, E+SIg-.gamma.Fc+/-C3- and the significance of these phenotypic changes was discussed. The importance of sequential studies with a panel of markers in the characterization of lymphoproliferative disorders was emphasized.