Serum beta 2 microglobulin in malignant lymphoproliferative disorders.

Serum beta-2-microglobulin (S-beta 2M) was measured at diagnosis in 44 patients with lymphocytic leukemias and 47 with malignant lymphomas. Among patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) S-beta 2M was raised (greater than 3 mg/l) in 74% and in 23.5% of those with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

[The differentiation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes by immunological methods. III. Results in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (author's transl)].

In 47 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia surface markers were evaluated on mononuclear cells of the peripheral blood as well as in some cases on bone marrow lymphocytes. The lymphocytes were characterized by their binding capacity for sheep red blood cells, the demonstration of Fc-receptors, complement receptors as well as surface immunoglobulins. In 6 of 23 untreated patients the blasts bound sheep red blood cells spontaneously (T-ALL), in two of these six cases the lymphoblasts had simultaneously receptors for complement.

[T-cell lymphoma (author's transl)].

The percentage of T- and B-lymphocytes was determined by means of surface markers in 190 patients suffering from various lymphoproliferative disease. Characteristic T-cell lymphomas were diagnosed in 8 patients: 2 of these patients suffered from acute leukaemia, 2 from lymphoblastic lymphoma, 3 from mycosis fungoides and one from the Sézary syndrome. The clinical course of the disease in these patients, the clinical picture and the results obtained with various surface markers and with unspecific mitogens are described and discussed.