Surface antigens on malignant Sézary and T-CLL cells correspond to those of mature T cells.
Tumor cells from eight adult patients with T-cell chronic malignancies were investigated with a series of monoclonal antibodies recognizing T-cell differentiation antigens. This series allowed definition of discrete subpopulations of mature T cells with functional specialization. All six patients with Sézary syndrome and one patient with T-chronic lymphocytic leukemia had cells with the same phenotype as normal helper/inducer T cells, whereas the other patient with T-chronic lymphocytic leukemia had cell with the same phenotype as normal cytotoxic/suppressor T cells. Some clinical manifestations observed in these patients may reflect retention of functional activities by their malignant cells.
D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012751:Sezary Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000954:Antigens, Surface