Lymphopenic response of patients presenting with chronic lymphocytic leukemia associated with carcinoma of the prostate to diethylstilbestrol: correlation of response to the in vitro synthesis of RNA by patient lymphocytes and its relationship to transcortin.

Abstract

Three patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and carcinoma of the prostate were treated for the latter condition with diethylstilbestrol (DES). All three patients responded with rapid reductions in their peripheral white counts. The previously observed lymphocytic infiltration of the bone marrow of one patient was not evident after three months of DES treatment. The response of this patient to DES correlates well with the enhanced level of plasma transcortin subsequent to treatment. Treatment of this patient with DES alters the ability of peripheral lymphocytes to incorporate radioactive uridine into RNA as well as the in vitro response to either cortisol or beta-estradiol.