Alloantigen-induced suppressor- and memory cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

T cell function was evaluated in patients with B cell type of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Unseparated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and T cells from CLL patients stimulated in a primary allogeneic MLR were able to inhibit significantly a second MLR between the original responder (CLL) and stimulator (normal PBL) cell donors. Furthermore, it is shown the T lymphocytes from patients with CLL develop immunologic memory during the course of a primary MLR as evidenced by an enhanced response in secondary MLR. These results are discussed with respect to recently described imbalances of T cell subpopulations in CLL.