Thymic dysfunction in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is, in the great majority of cases, a neoplastic proliferation of B cells. The associated immunologic dysfunction accounts for many of the clinically associated phenomenon such as infection and second malignancies. Much of this dysfunction has been attributed to poor B-cell function. Functional impairment of the T-cell component is currently being elucidated. In the investigation of B cells. The associated immunologic dysfunction accounts for many of the clinically associated phenomenon such as infection and second malignancies. Much of this dysfunction has been attributed to poor B-cell function. Functional impairment of the T-cell component is currently being elucidated. In the investigation of B cells. The associated immunologic dysfunction accounts for many of the clinically associated phenomenon such as infection and second malignancies. Much of this dysfunction has been attributed to poor B-cell function. Functional impairment of the T-cell component is currently being elucidated. In the investigation of B cells. The associated immunologic dysfunction accounts for many of the clinically associated phenomenon such as infection and second malignancies. Much of this dysfunction has been attributed to poor B-cell function. Functional impairment of the T-cell component is currently being elucidated. In the investigation of B cells. The associated immunologic dysfunction accounts for many of the clinically associated phenomenon such as infection and second malignancies. Much of this dysfunction has been attributed to poor B-cell function. Functional impairment of the T-cell component is currently being elucidated. In the investigations reported herein, we further demonstrate the immune deficiency of CLL by measuring proliferation and immunoglobulin synthesis in response to mitogens. Stimulation of various cell fractions indicates that in certain cases there is deficient T-helper, while others T function appears intact. In 2 of 4 cases tested there was augmentation of ig synthesis when the CLL cells were cocultured with thymic epithelium. The implications of such in vitro modulation are discussed.