Progress in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a historical perspective

A historical review of gains in the body of knowledge on chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) reveals a continuous, steady process from the beginning of the century with the pioneering work of scholars to the present era of molecular biology. Several notable hallmarks of this progress have been recognized: (1) the early period of broad, loose grouping of all chronic lymphoproliferative disorders; (2) recognition of CLL as a discrete entity with clinical and cytological identification of different forms of lymphoid neoplasm; (3) development of clinical staging systems and prognostic factors; and (4) use of immunological techniques in the study of CLL. Studies currently in progress using molecular genetic techniques hold promise for future advances in unravelling the biology of leukaemic transformation of lymphocytes in CLL.