Suppressor T cells in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: relationship to clinical stage.
In 32 patients with B-cell chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL), OKT8+ suppressor T cells were increased in relative (mean 54 +/- 14%; normal mean 34 +/- 6%) and absolute (1.8 +/- 1.6 X 10(9)/1; normal range 0.3-0.6 X 10(9)/1) numbers. OKT4+ helper cells were reduced in relative (mean 53 +/- 15%; normal mean 65 +/- 7%) but not absolute (1.7 +/- 1.4 X 10(9)/1; normal range 0.6-1.4 X 10(9)/1) numbers. Essentially identical results were obtained in treated and untreated patients. There was no significant association between T-cell subset numbers and clinical stage, whether assessed by the Rai classification or the more recent Binet system, although the OKT4+/8+ ratio was slightly lower in advanced disease. The study suggests that the immunoparesis so characteristic of CLL may be attributable to increased suppressor T-cell activity.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012397:Rosette Formation; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal