In vitro cell proliferation studies in Hodgkin's disease.

A cytologic and proliferation analysis was performed in the lymph node samples of 30 nontreated Hodgkin patients using tritiated thymidine, the autoradiographic technique, and two different in vitro incubation schemes. A group of 9 inflammatory reactive patients was used as control. The results confirmed previous labeling data but showed that DNA synthesis can also be detected among the reticulum cells. The role attributed by some authors to the large rounded basophilic cells of lymphoid appearance found in Hodgkin's tissue is discussed in the light of the results in Hodgkin's and non Hodgkin's samples. Finally, some aspects dealing with the relationship and possible role of the Hodgkin and Sternberg-Reed cells are commented.