Prolymphocytic leukaemia.
A review of the main features of prolymphocytic leukaemia, based on 80 cases studied by the author since 1974, is presented. Prolymphocytes have a B-cell membrane phenotype with strong expression of surface Ig in 81% of cases (B-PLL) whilst the rest have T-cell markers (T-PLL). Both forms of the disease have distinct laboratory and clinical findings. T-PLL has a more aggressive course with a median survival of 7 months (24 months in B-PLL). Ultrastructural analysis demonstrates larger lysosomal granules in T-PLL cells which results in a higher content of acid hydrolases. The intriguing relationship of B-PLL with B-CLL is discussed in the light of new data with immunological markers.
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007621:Karyotyping; D007937:Leukapheresis; D007942:Leukemia, Experimental / Q000276:immunology; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011379:Prognosis; D013156:Splenectomy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone