Human lymphocytes-macrophages interaction: a good prognostic sign in malignant lymphoma.

The lymphocyte surface markers as well as the lymphocytes-macrophage interaction were examined in 12 malignant lymphoma patients in the peripheral blood, bone marrow and/or lymph node biopsy or in the pleural effusion (1 patient). In 5 of them a lymphocytes-macrophage interaction ("immunological island") was found: these 5 patients responded well to chemotherapy and their clinical course was satisfactory. The patients in whom a low mouse rosettes percentage was found were in a poorer clinical condition as compared to those with a high mouse rosettes percentage. The lymphocyte-macrophage interactions are probably due to immunological activation of the patient by the malignant antigen and seemed to be a good prognostic sign.