Mitogen-induced differentiation of human CLL lymphocytes to antibody-secreting cells.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from nine patients with chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL) have been stimulated by photohaemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen and Epstein-Barr virus. Our results provide proof that the leukaemic B cells in CLL are capable of responding to mitogenic signals by producing and secreting antibodies, transforming into blast cells, and, probably, increasing their rate of DNA synthesis.