Immunological characterization of lymphoproliferative disorders by membrane markers.

The characterization of lymphocyte subpopulations by means of surface markers improved our understanding of the immunopathology of lymphoproliferative disorders. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia an accumulation of B-lymphocytes have been documented. The antibody deficiency syndrome in these patients might well reflect a maturation defect of the leukemic B-lymphocytes. In patients with Hodgkin's disease the relative number of B- and T-lymphocytes in the blood was not markedly altered in comparison to normal controls. An increased proliferation primarily of T-lymphocytes however, might suggest their accelerated turnover as an indication of the host response. In most patients with "Non-Hodgkin" lymphomas high numbers of B-lymphocytes were found in affected lymph nodes, and these appear occasionally in the peripheral blood. Differences in immunopathological manifestations of the various subgroups of the "Non-Hodgkin" lymphomas are emphasized and the rare occurrence of lymphomas of T-lymphocytes (mainly observed in lymphoblastic lymphomas and in Sézary syndrome) is discussed. Immunopathological alterations in immunocytomas and the myelomas are considered in respect to the involvement of B-lymphocytes at different stages of maturation.