Chronic B-cell lymphoproliferative disease: relationship between immunophenotype and clinical stage

We analyzed the immunophenotype in 34 cases of B-CLD referred to our observation over a 13-month period. In 25 patients the classical phenotypic pattern of B-CLL was observed; in 9 cases clinical, morphocytochemical, and histologic findings were consistent with CLL but differed in phenotype. The results indicate that four immunophenotypic subgroups related to CD5 and FMC7 expression may be identified within B-CLL. Clinical correlations in these cases suggest that B-CLL with anomalous phenotypes are more frequently diagnosed at a later stage than classical B-CLL. Furthermore, while the percentage of CD3+ cells did not vary among the subgroups, a comparison of the CD4/CD8 ratio disclosed marked differences.