Longitudinal studies of blood lymphocyte functions in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

The study comprises 26 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who entered complete remission. Lymphocyte subsets and spontaneous and mitogen (ConA, PWM)-induced DNA synthesis were recorded in purified blood lymphocytes harvested before treatment, in remission and in relapse. The T and B lymphocytopenia noted in untreated patients persisted in complete remission. At diagnosis the spontaneous DNA synthesis was increased and the response to mitogen was decreased as compared to controls. Both functions became normalised during complete remission in most patients under 60 yr. The lymphocyte abnormalities reappeared during relapse. A low response to mitogen (ConA) in complete remission seemed to predict early relapse in patients younger than 60 yr. It is concluded that functional abnormalities of blood lymphocytes in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are closely related to the presence of active disease.