Focus-forming ability and surface markers of hamster-human malignant lymphoma hybrids

We have examined the properties of hybrid cells formed by polyethylene glycol-mediated fusion of the GRC+L-73 line of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells with peripheral blood cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or with bone marrow cells from patients with malignant lymphoma. The results indicate that hybrid cells can be detected by their ability to form "foci" of characteristic morphology in the presence of a monolayer of parental CHO cells and that clones isolated from such foci express aspects of the differentiation status, as detected by immunologic markers, of the human parental cells.     

Hashimoto's thyroiditis with intra-thyroid production of a monoclonal antithyroglobulin autoantibody

A 46-year old man had an Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The disease was particular by the voluminous goiter, associated with pressure symptoms and by the presence of a monoclonal Ig.G Kappa. Because of a possibly associated lymphoma of the thyroid, a total thyroidectomy was performed. Post-operative course showed a rapid and total disappearance of monoclonal Ig.G and antithyroglobulin autoantibodies. There was no pathological feature of thyroid malignancy. We could show that the monoclonal Ig.G bore an antithyroglobulin activity and that this monoclonal antithyroglobulin autoantibody was produced with in the thyroid. This case demonstrate that a monoclonal proliferation can arise from autoreactive B lymphocytes infiltrating the thyroid during Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Such a mechanism could explain, in some cases, the well-known association between lymphomas of the thyroid and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.     

Cytogenetic events after bone marrow transplantation for chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase

Forty-eight patients treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase had serial cytogenetic studies of marrow performed at intervals after transplant. Twenty patients received marrow cells from donors of opposite sex. Ph+ marrow metaphases were identified in 24 of 48 (50%) of patients after BMT; they were first seen early (within 1 year) in 16 cases and late (greater than 1 year after BMT) in eight cases. Ph-positivity after BMT occurred more commonly in recipients of T-depleted than nondepleted marrow (19 of 28 v 5 of 20). In 4 cases the Ph+ metaphases were found only transiently after BMT; in 11 cases the Ph+ metaphases have persisted but hematologic relapse has not ensued; in 9 cases the finding of Ph+ metaphases coincided with or preceded hematologic relapse. Chromosomes in cells of donor origin had morphological abnormalities in two cases. No relapses were identified in cells of donor origin. Our data suggest that the relationship between cells of recipient and donor origin is complex: cure of leukemia may depend on factors that operate for some months or years after BMT.