Transferrin binding by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in human lymphomas, myelomas and leukemias

Significantly more peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) from 39 patients with lymphoma (p less than 0.001), myeloma (p less than 0.001), or leukemia (p less than 0.001-0.025) bind transferrin (Trf) than those of 23 normals. That Trf was bound to a receptor on these cells was shown by the inhibition of these cells bound to 125I-Trf with unlabeled Trf. The paucity of Trf receptors on PBM from normals and their presence on diseased cells prompt a suggestion that Trf receptors may offer a useful approach to the diagnosis and possible treatment of some blood dyscrasias.