Flow cytometric analysis of T and Tn epitopes on chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells

Abstract

Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes from six patients with a-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and five normal volunteers was done and their T and Tn epitopes analyzed using specific monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. Lymphocytes from all patients showed strong Tn expression as compared to normal control lymphocytes. By contrast, T antigen was not expressed. The in expression may be a useful diagnostic and prognostic marker for B-CLL.