ANALISI DEI LINFOCITI DEL SANGUE PERIFERICO IN LINFOMI NON-HODGKIN

The surface of mononuclear cells obtained from heparinized peripheral blood from 18 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma was investigated to ascertain whether a sign of clonal cell proliferation also exists in the peripheral blood. Immunoglobulin on the cell surface was used to identify B cells, whereas T cells were recognized by their ability to form rosette with sheep erythrocytes. For membrane immunofluorescence, the pepsinic fragment of monospecific antisera directed against the single Ig chains was used. As a marker of clonal proliferation the contemporary presence of these two parameters was assumed: increased percentage (>40%) of membrane-Ig positive cells, unbalance between k and λ light chain bearing cells, 4 k to 1 λ or 2 λ to 1 k being the ratios taken as significant. The results show that in 5 of the 18 patients tested the two parameters were positive, while in three further only an increased percentage of membrane Ig positive cells was present. This means that there is blood involvement with the presence of circulating malignant cells, also in non-Hodgkin lymphomas, representing the product of a clonal proliferation. In addition, a case report of a transition from chronic lymphocitic leukemia to lymphoma is presented.