CD8+ chronic lymphocytic leukemia: an extensive characterization of a bizarre hybrid neoplasia

Eur J Haematol. 2003 Sep;71(3):224-30. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0609.2003.00121.x.

Abstract

Atypical chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) expressing the CD8 antigen have a frequency of less than 0.5% of all cases, however, they are not yet been fully characterized. Herein a CD8+ CLL case was extensively studied. Besides the classical CLL antigen expression, an unusual presence of surface markers such as CD11c, CD56, and CD154 was observed. Moreover, gene expression of chemokine receptors belonging to the CCR family were clearly evidenced as well as mRNA for both, Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Likewise, granzyme A, B and perforin gene expression, cytotoxic T cell or NK enzymes were found. The intricate profile of membrane molecules and gene expression suggest that it could be favorable, rather than deletereous, for the maintainance of the neoplastic process.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / analysis
  • CD11c Antigen / analysis
  • CD40 Ligand / analysis
  • CD56 Antigen / analysis
  • CD8 Antigens / analysis*
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / immunology*
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Receptors, Chemokine / genetics

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • CD11c Antigen
  • CD56 Antigen
  • CD8 Antigens
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • CD40 Ligand