Spontaneous remission of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia associated with T lymphocytic hyperplasia in bone marrow.

Spontaneous remissions in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) are rare and none of them has been studied with immunophenotyping (by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry) and genotyping. In this patient, studied after spontaneous remission had occurred, there was a residual T-lymphocytic hyperplasia in the bone marrow with a normal CD4:CD8 ratio. Absolute CD4 and CD8 counts and CD4:CD8 ratio in the peripheral blood were normal. Flow cytometry revealed no B-CLL cells in the peripheral blood and less than 2% B-CLL cells in the bone marrow.