title: Biology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
abstract: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a clonal proliferation of mature-appearing, but maturationally immature B cells; T cells are rarely involved. Most data suggest that CLL cells are frozen at an early step in maturation; this can be overcome by several techniques such as in vitro incubation with tumor promotors. Although B-CLL involves B cells, and abnormal T cell function is common, its etiology is uncertain. Oncogene abnormalities and retroviral infection have been reported in rare cases of CLL; their role in more typical cases is unknown.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Gale
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Foon
mesh_terms: D000361:Agammaglobulinemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000235:genetics; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009857:Oncogenes; D012190:Retroviridae; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology