title: Phenotypical heterogeneity of Japanese adult T-cell leukaemia.
abstract: The leukaemic cells of 11 patients with Japanese adult T-cell leukaemia (ATL) were characterized in terms of phenotype employing various monoclonal antibodies against T-cell surface antigens. The leukaemic cells of all ATL patients except patient no. 11 displayed the phenotype OKT4+/OKT8-. However, the % of OKT3+ cells varied from 3 to 98. In 1 case, cells with phenotype OKT4+/OKT8+, which is characteristic of T-cells at an early stage of differentiation, were found. These results suggest that some ATL cells may be in an immature differentiation stage. Among the 11 patients, 2 with unusual ATL cell phenotypes (1 case with OKT3- cells and 1 case with Ia+/EAC+ cells) showed spontaneous regression of leukaemic cells. Characterization of leukaemic cells from a larger number of ATL patients may demonstrate a significant relationship between cell phenotype and prognosis.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009365:Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D011951:Receptors, Complement / Q000235:genetics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011951:Receptors, Complement; C028388:thymus-leukemia antigens