B-cell lymphoma lacking Fc- and C3d-receptors.

Various cell surface markers were studied in a patient with lymphosarcoma cell leukemia. The B-cell derived feature of the neoplastic cells could be identified by demonstration of monoclonal surface immunoglobulin of IgM-kappa type of high density synthesized by the cells. Interestingly, there were no Fc- nor C3d-receptors demonstrable using various techniques. Only 22% of the leukemic cells expressed C3b receptors. The failure of rosette formation with mouse erythrocytes was an additional surface feature distinguishing from ordinary chronic lymphatic leukemia of the B cell type. The phenotype of the leukemia cells is discussed as corresponding to that of a less differentiated B lymphocyte.