title: Aberrant expression of T-cell-associated markers CD4 and CD7 on B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
abstract: By multiparameter flow cytometry, the T-cell-associated markers CD4 and CD7 were aberrantly coexpressed on a case of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The CLL had an immunophenotype: CD19+, CD20+, CD79b+, CD5+, CD23+, FMC7+, kappa+, CD4+, and CD7+. Molecular analysis confirmed clonal rearrangement of the immunoglobin heavy chain genes and a germline configuration of the T-cell receptor genes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed trisomy 12 anomaly. There was no evidence of deletion 17p (p53), 11q23 (ATM), or 13q14 or translocation t(11:14). The patent was clinically stable without treatment. Although the pathogenesis of such aberrant immunophenotype remains to be determined, the current case illustrates the phenotypic heterogeneity of CLL, and emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach including clinical, morphologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular cytogenetic studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Hematology, Toronto General Hospital/University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Prashant
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jani
authors.forename: Xiao Ying
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D019011:Antigens, CD7 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015973:Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic; D015326:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain / Q000235:genetics; D015329:Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D019011:Antigens, CD7; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D006023:Glycoproteins; C112523:MS4A1 protein, human