Study of cell-surface markers in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

There are new possibilities to characterize lymphocytes of the so-called immunoproliferative disorders, e.g. chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Cell marker studies help to phenotype and differentiate several entities within the CLL-syndrome. Test of rosette formation with mouse erythrocytes together with the surface membrane immunoglobulin detection by immunofluorescence technique proved to be very useful in diagnosing B-CLL and in distinguishing it from other B-lymphoproliferative disorders. In three patients with atypical B-CLL the number of dual-marked (D)-lymphocytes were increased significantly. The prognostic value of this phenomenon is still uncertain.