Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis

Flow cytometry diagnostic practices can detect very low levels of clonal B cells in the peripheral blood. In the absence of clinical symptoms, cytopenia or organomegaly, the small clones may correspond to monoclonal B-cell leukemia (MBL) diagnosis. Most MBLs harbor a chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) phenotype (e.g., CD5+, CD23(+)) and are referred to as CLL-type MBL. The two other types are atypical CLL-type MBL and non-CLL-type MBL. In addition to the phenotypical classification, the clonal B count is a major issue because of the impact on the prognosis and the risk of progression in CLL. It allows for the discrimination of two distinct types: high-count (HC) MBL and low-count (LC)-MBL based on a cutoff value of 0.5 x 10(9)/L clonal B cells. LC MBL appears to be very stable over time and is probably related to immunosenescence. Conversely, HC MBL could be a premalignant state before the occurrence of CLL.