B. Komischke

Use of monoclonal antibodies as a diagnostic tool in human leukemia

SummaryVarious monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) detecting certain different epitopes on myeloid cells (VIMD 5, D 5 D 6, OKM 1, Leu-M3, VIEG 4, OKIa 1) have been used in combination with conventional markers (antihuman myeloid hetero-antiserum, FcIgG-receptors, C3d-receptors) to further define the phenotypic heterogeneity of myeloid leukemia.Subsequent leukemic samples from previously untreated patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (51 adults, 24 children) and from nine adult patients in the acute phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-BC) were studied.It was possible to demonstrate quantitative differences in the expression of antigens on the various leukemia subtypes which could be exploited for diagnosis. Furthermore our results revealed that there is a very close correlation between the different surface phenotypes and the types morphologically assessed according to FAB-criteria.

Expanded Tγ cell populations with the morphology of large granular lymphocytes — I. Immunological, clinical and morphological characterization☆

Lymphocytes from two patients with T gamma cell proliferations displaying the morphology of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) were characterized in terms of cell marker phenotyping and immunologic functions. In both patients, the lymphocytes were positive for E-R, HuTLA, OKT5, OKT8, OKT11, OKM1, VEP13, Leu1, Leu2a, Lyt2 and Lyt3 and were negative for Tmu, Tar, SIg, BA1, BA2, EM-R, C3d-R, C3b-R, OKT6, OKT9, Leu3a, OKIa1 and TdT. In addition, investigations for T411, T811 and M522 in patient 1 yielded positive results. There were differences in the phenotype of the two patients with regard to the reactions with OKT3, OKT10 and VEP10. While, in patient 1, OKT3 was very pronounced and OKT10 and VEP10 were completely negative, OKT10 and VEP10 were very pronounced in patient 2, whereas OKT3 was positive only in a very small percentage of cells. Though the lymphocytes in both patients were potent effectors of NK and K functions (patient 2 more strongly than patient 1) and a noticeably reduced mitogen response was shown to PHA, Con A and zinc, patient 1 showed a distinct suppression of allogenic and autologous B cell response to transformation into ISC, coinciding with the clinical observation of a hypogammaglobulinemia; neither B cell suppression nor dysgammaglobulinemia was seen in patient 2. The results are discussed with regard to other comparable T gamma proliferations reported in the literature.

Evaluation of the circulating and splenic lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas and Hodgkin's disease using monoclonal antibodies.

SummaryThe number of B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and their helper/inducer, cytotoxic/suppressor and NK/K subpopulations was measured in peripheral blood and spleen cell suspensions from patients with Hodgkins disease (HD) in the active stage of the disease and in remission status, as well as in Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) in active stage of the disease. B lymphocytes were determined by direct immunofluorescence and T lymphocytes with the E rosette technique. Helper/inducer, cytotoxic/suppressor, and NK/K T lymphocytes were determined by indirect immunofluorescence with the monoclonal antibodies OKT4, OKT8 and Leu7 (HNK1). In the same way, Lyt3 was used for determination of the total T lymphocytes. Whereas in peripheral blood of the NHL group an increase of B lymphocytes and a slight reduction of T lymphocytes could be observed, with normal distribution of the subpopulations, in patients with active HD as well as in those in remission, a marked absolute and relative decrease of T helper/inducer cells was found with normal cytotoxic/suppressor and NK/K proportion. In contrast to this, a significant increase of helper/inducer T lymphocytes with decreased cytotoxic/suppressor T proportion was found in spleen cell suspensions of patients with HD.

Dual Expression of T and B Cell Markers in Human B Cell Neoplasias

Macrophage- and T-cell-depleted mononuclear cells from 36 patients with B cell lymphoma and 12 healthy individuals were investigated by indirect immunofluorescence with the monoclonal antibodies NEI-011 (7.2) and NEI-015 (10.2). The monoclonal antibody NEI-011 (7.2) recognized the Ia antigen and identified almost all B cells in the peripheral blood of healthy individuals. Furthermore, neoplastic B cells from all patients except those with plasma cell proliferation were found to react with this antibody. NEI-015 (10.2), a monoclonal antibody known to react with both T cells and B-CLL cells, did not react with normal circulating B cells. However, this antibody did identify neoplastic B cells except in cases of plasma cell proliferation and lymphoblastic lymphoma.

Heterogeneity of T-cell neoplasias as defined by monoclonal antibodies

SummarySurface marker studies were carried out on neoplastic cell samples (peripheral aspirates and skin biopsies) of 302 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas (221 patients) and acute lymphatic leukaemias (81 patients). In 11 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas (5%) and eight patients with acute lymphatic leukaemia (10%), the neoplastic cells possessed phenotypic characteristics of T cells. The investigations were carried out by means of an indirect immunofluorescence technique using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (OKT 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10; OKM 1; HNK 1 and VIL A 1). In addition, conventional markers (SIg, E-R 4°, E-R 37°, absorbed polyclonal rabbit antithymus and anti-TDT) were used. Our results, which show a pronounced phenotypic surface marker heterogeneity between the group of T-cell neoplasias, emphasize the diagnostic value of monoclonal antisera as compared to polyclonal reagents. Eleven different surface marker profiles were observed in the 19 patients investigated.