T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia with morphologic and immunologic characteristics of cytotoxic/suppressor...

The human cytotoxic/suppressor T-cell subpopulation has characteristic cytoplasmic granules and unique surface antigens that are recognized by OKT8 monoclonal antibody. Using immunocytochemical techniques, we identified three patients with an indolent T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder having morphologic and immunocytochemical characteristics of a cytotoxic/suppressor T-cell phenotype. Review of the literature revealed 22 similar cases, which were frequently associated with neutropenia and anemia. These cases may represent a distinct clinicopathologic entity with an apparently indolent clinical course that differs from other T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, which are generally considered to be more aggressive diseases.