title: T lymphocyte subpopulations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B cell type in relation to immunoglobulin isotype(s) on the leukemic clone and to clinical features.
abstract: Total blood T lymphocytes and subpopulations (OKT4+ and OKT8+ cells) were studied in 59 patients with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). In 48 previously untreated patients, total T lymphocytes were higher as compared to healthy controls (p less than 0.001). T-cells and OKT8+ cells were significantly increased in patients in advanced clinical stage and with progressive disease in comparison to patients with low stage and indolent disease. High numbers of OKT8+ lymphocytes were also seen in patients with a dominance of mu heavy chains on the leukemic clone. Moreover, in this patient group the OKT8+ subpopulation correlated with total B cells (r = 0.68, p less than 0.001) while in patients with a mu delta phenotype no such correlation was seen. After successful cytostatic therapy there was a reduction in total numbers of both OKT4+ and OKT8+ cells, in particular, with a concomitant increase in OKT4/OKT8 ratios.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D002999:Clone Cells; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000378:metabolism*; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes