Cell-mediated immunity in chronic myelocytic leukemia.
14 patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia were evaluated immunologically; no difference was found in mean lymphocyte percentage and absolute number between patients and healthy subjects. 4 cases (28.5%) showed decreased percentage of T lymphocytes, while only 2 cases (14.2%) had decreased absolute T lymphocyte values. PHA transformation was decreased in 57% of the patients. Spontaneous transformation in the short-term cultures exceeded the normal range in 65% of the cases. All patients skin tested were found to be reactive. Most of the patients had defective cellular immune response in vitro, probably related with a qualitative defect in T lymphocyte subpopulations. It cannot be completely excluded that part of the observed lymphocyte depression was due to the busulfan.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012397:Rosette Formation; D012882:Skin Tests; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology