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Clinical and immunological findings in large B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract:

In order to define the characteristics of B-CLL cases in which the predominant cell population is composed of large lymphocytes, we studied 97 patients with B-CLL, comparing the cell morphological features with the clinical and biological findings and the immunological phenotype of the proliferating cells. Multivariant analysis showed that there were three significantly different morphological groups: Typical CLL, large lymphocyte CLL (LLL), and CLL with prolymphocytes ( CLL PL). The LLL group showed a greater incidence of lymphadenopathies (P < 0.05) and higher percentages of both μ+δ+ cells (P < 0.01) and Fmc 7+ cells (P < 0.001) than in typical CLL. The main differences between LLL and CLL PL were the peripheral blood lymphocyte count and the percentage of Fmc 7+ cells (P < 0.002)-both higher in the CLL PL group-and the percentage of mouse rosette-forming cells (P < 0.01)-lower in CLL PL. Further studies including functional assays and survival analyses could contribute to elucidating whether these groups are different entities or a single disease with marked heterogeneity. © 1988.