SUPPRESSOR T-CELLS IN B-CELL CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA - RELATIONSHIP TO CLINICAL STAGE

In 32 patients with B-cell chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL), OKT8+ suppressor T cells were increased in relative (mean 54 .+-. 14%; normal mean 34 .+-. 6%) and absolute (1.8 .+-. 1.6 .times. 109/l; normal range 0.3-0.6 .times. 109/l) numbers. OKT4+ helper cells were reduced in relative (mean 53 .+-. 15%; normal mean 65 .+-. 7%) but not absolute (1.7 .+-. 1.4 .times. 109/l; normal range 0.6-1.4 .times. 109/l) numbers. Essentially identical results were obtained in treated and untreated patients. There was no significant association between T-cell subset numbers and clinical stage, whether assessed by the Rai classification or the more recent Binet system, although the OKT4+/8+ ratio was slightly lower in advanced disease. Immuneparesis so characteristic of CLL may be attributable to increased suppressor T-cell activity.