Buoyant density characterization of neoplastic cell populations in patients with chronic B-lymphocytic leukemia

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Abstract
Leukemic cells from a series of patients with chronic B-lymphocytic luekemia (CLL) were analyzed for their buoyant density on discontinuous Percoll gradients. The density profile varied markedly between different patients and also between samples from different body compartments within the same patient. A good correlation was observed between buoyant density and maturation stage of the leukemic clones as judged by Ig-expression and their reactivity with a panel of monoclonal antibodies. Phorbol-ester-induced changes in the leukemic cells were found to be accompanied by a general decrease in their buoyant density. No correlation between density and clinical parameters such as cell counts, clinical stage and survival could be noted. Buoyant density characterization of leukemic B-cell population is seen as a useful, rapid and simple marker of compartmentalization within the B-lymphocyte maturation spectrum but its clinical relevance remains to be established.