T- and B-lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: correlation with clinical and immunologic status of the disease.

T- and B-lymphocyte count were correlated with clinical and immunologic status of 59 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The mean total T-cell count was slightly lower than normal in patients in complete remission, within normal limits in those in partial remission, and significantly higher in those with active disease. The mean total B-cell count, however, was slightly elevated in patients in complete remission and those in partial remission, and markedly elevated in those with active disease. The T-cell count correlated well with the duration of disease in patients in remission: The mean count was within normal range in those patients with disease of less than 3 years, whereas for those patients with disease of 3-12 years, a significant reduction was observed. The T-cell count was well correlated with the status of skin test response of patients with either complete or partial remission; the B-cell count did not correlate with immunoglobulin levels in patients with this disease.