DNA-synthesizing T and non-T cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

In 21 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and in 8 hematologically normal persons the number of DNA-synthesizing peripheral blood lymphocytes was investigated by autoradiographic techniques. The lymphocytes were differentiated by EN-rosette tests into T and non-T lymphoid cells. The results show a normal number of proliferating T lymphoid cells and an increased number of proliferating non-T lymphoid cells in clinical stages O-I. Stages III-IV demonstrate a significant increase of the proliferation rate of both T and non-T lymphoid cells. The possible pathogenetic factors and the prognostic value of these results are discussed.