Significance of surface immunoglobulin in murine and human myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

One important factor in the production of the immunologic deficiency in myeloma appears to be the alteration of the surface immunoglobulin by a macromolecular, RNA containing factor released by the tumor. In contrast, the cells of chronic lymphocytic leukemia are not influenced by factors outside the cell and their lack of immunologic reactivity is due to an intrinsic defect. These characteristics may be occasionally important in differential-diagnostic considerations.