Primitive cytokines and cytokine receptors in invertebrates: the sea star Asterias rubens as a model of study.

It has been previously demonstrated that the sea star axial organ is a primitive immune organ. Phagocytic, lymphoid-like cells have been characterized with properties similar to those of vertebrates. There is also evidence for an invertebrate cytokine network because IL-1 and TNF-like activities are clearly demonstrable.

Identification of T-like and B-like lymphocyte subsets in sea star Asterias rubens by monoclonal antibodies to human leukocytes.

The axial organ of sea star Asterias rubens is a primitive immune organ. The total cell population was fractionated into two populations: adherent (B-like) and non-adherent cells (T-like) to nylon wool. These two cell subsets were previously defined as functionally acting as mammals T and B cells.

Two additional cases of isochromosome 21q or translocation 21q21q in hematological malignancies.

We report on 2 patients with isochromosome 21q [i(21q)] or translocation 21q21q [t(21q21q)] in myeloid disorders. Of 18 available cases of i(21q) or t(21q21q), 15 were found in myeloid malignancies, often secondary to a previous carcinogen exposure. Complex karyotypes were found in most cases.

A new prognostic classification of chronic lymphocytic leukemia derived from a multivariate survival analysis.

Survivals of two series of CLL patients (99 from a retrospective series and 196 from a prospective series) were studied separately. The three main staging systems (Rai, Binet, Rundles) agreed well, but as far as survival is concerned, too many stages are defined. The authors performed a Cox multivariate analysis of survival in order to isolate important prognostic factors at diagnosis and to use them to build a simple three-stage classification.

Partial trisomy 6p.

A case of trisomy 6p21 leads to 6pter resulting from a maternal balanced t(2;6)(p25;p21) translocation is reported. The main clinical abnormalities were psychomotor retardation, hypotrophy, blepharophimosis, nystagmus, high nasal bridge, small mouth, sacral dimple, and systolic murmur. Other anomalies might have been due to partial 2p monosomy.

Identification of a pure splenic form of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

We have recently proposed a new staging system for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in which patients with isolated splenomegaly are classified into a distinct stage (stage II). Twenty-three such patients (from two institutions) have been studied without recorded death in a follow-up of 18 months to 30 years. This favourable prognosis justifies separation of these 'pure splenic forms' (SCLL) which must be distinguished from what Galton has termed prolymphocytic leukaemia (PL).

[A new parameter for chronic lymphocytic leukemia : determination of the large lymphocytes by means of Hemalog D (author's transl)].

The munber of large peripheral lymphoid cells and the ratio of these large unstained cells (LUC) to the total number of peripheral lymphocytes were determined by means of the Hemalog D in 57 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and in 100 controls. While the absolute number of LUC per mm3 is simply a reflection of peripheral lymphocytosis, the ratio LUC/total lymphocyte count was shown to correlate with clinical staging. In controls, this ratio ranged from 3.

[Comparative study of the peripheral lymphocyte count in controls and in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemias 4 hours after injection of hydrocortisone (author's transl)].

The peripheral lymphocyte count was investigated prior to and 4 h after a single intravenous injection of 400 mg of hydrocortisone (HSHC) in 23 controls and 43 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A reduction in the peripheral lymphocyte count was observed in all normal controls, the mean decrease being 51.9%, with differences according to age.

Investigation of a new parameter in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: the percentage of large peripheral lymphocytes determined by the Hemalog D. Prognostic significance.

The number of large peripheral lymphoid cells and the ratio of these large unstained cells to the total number of peripheral lymphocytes was determined by means of the Hemalog D in 57 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and in 100 control subjects. Although the absolute number of large unstained cells/mm3 is simply a reflection of peripheral lymphocytosis, the ratio large unstained cells to total lymphocyte count was shown to correlate with clinical staging. In control subjects, this ratio ranged from 3.

Variations in lymphocyte counts four hours after administration of hydrocortisone in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The peripheral lymphocyte count and the number of large unstained cells (LUC) were investigated prior to and 4 hr after a single intravenous injection of 400 mg of hydrocortisone in 23 controls and 51 patients with lymphoid disorders (43 chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 3 cases of Waldenström macroglobulinemia, 2 hairy cell leukemias, 1 Sézary syndrome, and 2 cases of infectious mononucleosis). A reduction in both the peripheral lymphocyte counts and the number of LUC was observed in all normal controls, the mean decrease being 54% and greater than 60%, respectively, with differences according to age. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the peripheral lymphocyte count showed a variable response: decrease, no change, or increase.