T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: anomalous cell markers, variable morphology, and marked responsiveness to pentostatin (2'-deoxycoformycin).
4 men with an unusual variant of T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia are reported. The clinical features differed from the virus-associated T-cell disease reported from Japan, the Caribbean, and the southeastern United States. Cytology was pleiomorphic: cells with cerebriform nuclei resembling Sézary cells and lymphocytes with cytoplasmic granules resembling T-suppressor cells occurred in the same patients. Immunofluorescence studies with monoclonal antibodies suggested that the leukaemia cells expressed determinants of both helper- (OKT4+) and suppressor-(OKT8+) related antigens. The cells were TdT-negative. In all patients the disease was very refractory to conventional cytotoxic agents, but there was prompt and extensive response to the adenosine deaminase inhibitor pentostatin (2'-deoxycoformycin). This agent merits further study in the treatment of T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
Spiers
A S
AS
Davis
M P
MP
Levine
M
M
Li
C Y
CY
Mangan
K F
KF
Mazza
J J
JJ
Neu
L T
LT
O'Brien
J
J
Rauch
A E
AE
Wiltsie
J C
JC
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003070:Coformycin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015649:Pentostatin; D010641:Phenotype; D012263:Ribonucleosides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000939:Epitopes; D012263:Ribonucleosides; D003070:Coformycin; D015649:Pentostatin