title: Primary plasma cell leukaemia: immunological and ultrastructural studies in 6 cases.
abstract: The clinical and laboratory studies of 6 patients with primary plasma cell leukaemia are described. The leukaemic cells had a variable morphology, ranging from lymphoplasmacytic and mature plasma cells to poorly differentiated blasts. The neoplastic plasma cells had a characteristic phenotype: they were positive for CyIg and the McAb OKT10 and Ri-3, and did not express the B-cell antigens Ia, B1 and B4. Ultrastructural studies confirmed the plasma cell nature of the leukaemic cells and showed the presence of a meshwork of cytoplasmic fibrils in 50 to 90% of the neoplastic cells from all cases. The distinct ultrastructural and immunological features of PCL described in this study will help the diagnosis and further characterisation of this disease entity.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007952:Leukemia, Plasma Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell