Aberrant phenotypic expression of the T-cell-associated antigen CD8 on B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.
B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is a heterogeneous hematologic malignancy caused by a clonally expanded B-cell population that recirculates between the blood and tissues. Described is the case of an 81-year-old female B-CLL patient with aberrant expression of a T-cell-associated antigen, CD8, on CD19+ B-CLL cells. Despite chlorambucil therapy and a subsequent salvage regimen, the patient rapidly entered progressive disease and died 9 months later. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of the B-CLL cells for a number of antigens ruled out a mixed-lineage disorder. The implications of CD8 expression in B-CLL are discussed, and its expression in this case probably reflects an aberrant lineage infidelity. CD8 expression might be considered as a marker of aggressive disease.
Stagno
Fabio
F
Section of Hematology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, Ferrarotto Hospital, via S. Citelli 6, Catania, Italy. fsematol@tiscali.it
Triolo
Anna
A
Del Fabro
Vittorio
V
Berretta
Salvatore
S
Parrinello
Nunziatina Laura
NL
Fargione
Giovannella
G
Di Raimondo
Francesco
F
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D019070:Cell Lineage; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000473:pathology*
D016827:CD8 Antigens