Abstract
T-cell malignancies may be recognised in several distinctive forms: T-lymphoblastic leukaemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma which are proliferations of immature T cells, and a heterogeneous group of proliferative disorders with a mature T-cell phenotype, T-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, T-prolymphocytic leukaemia and the cutaneous T-cell lymphomas [1]. Within this spectrum of diseases, a distinctive T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma affecting black adults of West Indian/Caribbean origin has been recognised by our group [2] and designated adult T-cell leukaemialymphoma (ATLL). The salient features of the disease include its occurrence in black West Indians, the presence of high titres of antibody against the p 24 structural core protein of human T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma virus (HTLV), severe hypercalcaemia without bone lesions, lymphadenopathy, high WBC and short survival. Immunologically the malignant cells are of mature post-thymic phenotype (E +, TdT−, OKT3+, OKT6−), and in those cases tested with OKT4 and OKT8 monoclonal antibodies, of helper/inducer phenotype (OKT4+, OKT8−).KeywordsAtypical Lymphoid CellCytochemical FeatureAcid Phosphatase ReactionElectron Microscopic MorphologyStructural Core ProteinThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call