Quantification of ferritin-secreting cells in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Ferritin secretion in patients with hematological malignancies, particularly malignant lymphomas, were evaluated in terms of circulating ferritin-secreting cells (FSC). There was a positive correlation between the tumor cell mass and the number of FSC, particularly monocytic FSC, but lymphoma cell suspensions contained very few FSC in comparison with the expected number. These results indicate that lymphoma cells per se may not be responsible for ferritin synthesis and secretion and suggest that ferritin synthesis and secretion in the reticuloendothelial system may be increased as a nonspecific response.