[Use of monoclonal antibodies in the study of the lymphoid system. II. Classification and treatment of the leukemias].

The use of monoclonal antibodies against surface antigens has let to make immunologic classifications of leukemias. It is possible now the separation of new lymphocyte populations and a more accurate identification of neoplastic cells. Nevertheless a too high number of leukemia subtypes has been proposed, some of them without clinical and biological own characteristics. Also, sometimes the exact identification is difficult because the appearance of surface antigens can be different in neoplastic cells than in normal lymphocytes. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies against neoplastic antigens have been attempted with hopeful results but the number of leukemic cells increase again few days after. Further studies on this field are needed.