Immunodeficiency and prognosis in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Monocyte depleted blood lymphocyte subpopulations, their functions and relation to prognosis were studied in 68 untreated adult patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas classified according to the Kiel nomenclature. The median observation time was 48 months (range 41-60). The mean total blood lymphocyte and T (SRBC-rosetting) cell counts were significantly decreased as compared with age-matched controls (n = 57). Twenty-five per cent of the patients had a monoclonal blood B lymphocyte population. The spontaneous lymphocyte DNA synthesis, measured as incorporation of 14C-thymidine, was increased and the response to mitogen and antigen stimulation was decreased. Blood lymphocyte counts and functions before treatment were not related to the rates of remission or survival.