Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and lymphoma in an Iranian fat-tailed sheep: a case report

A 5-year-old Iranian fat-tailed sheep was referred to the Veterinary Clinic of Shiraz University in September 2003 with a history of emaciation, fever, decreased appetite, lethargy and cough. Small cutaneous and subcutaneous nodules were palpable, especially under the ribs on both sides of the thorax. Discrete cutaneous plaques and large scabby lesions were also observed. Very large mammary gland lymph nodes were noticed on palpation. Haematological and serum biochemical values were estimated through standard haematological and biochemical techniques. In this case a normocytic–normochromic anaemia, leukocytosis and lymphocytosis were found. The concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, cholesterol and the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were higher than the values reported for sheep. Necropsy findings revealed that the lymph nodes were affected in most organs. Malignant lymphoma in the kidney, heart, spleen, mammary glands, liver and bone marrow was observed. The histopathological appearance of the affected tissues varied considerably, depending upon the degree of tumour infiltration. According to the history, clinical signs, laboratory findings, necropsy findings and histopathological examination the case was diagnosed as chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and lymphoma.     

Cyclosporine A alleviates severe anaemia associated with refractory large granular lymphocytic leukaemia and chronic natural killer cell lymphocytosis

Large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukaemia and chronic natural killer cell lymphocytosis (CNKL) are chronic indolent disorders often associated with neutropenia and constitutional symptoms. Severe anaemia occurs in about 20% of patients and is currently treated with corticosteroids followed by oral cyclophosphamide in non-responders. 30% of patients fail initial measures, and salvage therapy is inadequate. We describe three transfusion-dependent patients (two with T-LGL leukaemia, one with CNKL) refractory to corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, and in one case fludarabine. Cyclosporine A (CSA) initiation resulted in prompt transfusion-independence and was well tolerated in all patients, making it an attractive alternative therapy for this disorder.     

小儿急性淋巴细胞白血病的染色体观察

对９例急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿诊断时染色体的分析，染色体数目异常检出率为６／９，观察核型与临床的关系，发现染色体数目异常可视为预后差的标志。认为染色体分析对小儿ＡＬＬ的疗效监测及预后评估的价值，可作为ＡＬＬ的常规检查项目。     

Buoyant density characterization of neoplastic cell populations in patients with chronic B-lymphocytic leukemia

Leukemic cells from a series of patients with chronic B-lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were analyzed for their buoyant density on discontinuous Percoll gradients. The density profile varied markedly between different patients and also between samples from different body compartments within the same patient. A good correlation was observed between buoyant density and maturation stage of the leukemic clones as judged by Ig-expression and their reactivity with a panel of monoclonal antibodies. Phorbol-ester-induced changes in the leukemic cells were found to be accompanied by a general decrease in their buoyant density. No correlation between density and clinical parameters such as cell counts, clinical stage and survival could be noted. Buoyant density characterization of leukemic B-cell populations is seen as a useful, rapid and simple marker of compartmentalization within the B-lymphocyte maturation spectrum but its clinical relevance remains to be established.     

慢淋、慢淋伴幼淋细胞增多及毛细胞白血病的临床、形态学和免疫学表型分析

目的：探讨慢性淋巴细胞白血病(CLL)、慢淋伴幼淋细胞增多症(CLL／PL)及毛细胞白血病(HCL)免疫表型特点。方法：应用单克隆抗体(McAb)对45例淋巴细胞白血病进行免疫表型检测，并观察其形态学特点。结果：45例患者中，B—CLL42例(包括5例B-CLL／PL)，T—CLL2例，B细胞型毛细胞白血病(B—HCL)1例。男性患者与女性患者之比为2．3：1，B—CLL与T—CLL之比为20：1。B—CLL患者显示有T-淋系抗原CD5^ ，T—CLL可分别表达CD4^ CD8^-及CD8^ CD4^-，1例B—HCL显示典型的B-淋系抗原阳性，同时免疫电镜淋巴细胞为毛状突起。结论：B—CLL CD5、CDl9、CD20、HLA-DR较特异；B—CLL／PL CD20、CD22、SmIg有一定参考价值；B—HCL除B淋系抗原可表达阳性外，CD25^ 、CD5^-最有诊断鉴别意义;T—CLL可呈现多样性T-淋系免疫标记。免疫表型分析有助于区别T、B—CLL、幼淋及HCL．     

Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in early and stable phase of the disease: Long-term results of a randomized trial

Abstract: In 1982 the IGCI CLL cooperative group decided to investigate the usefulness of treating, at diagnosis B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in early and stable phase of the disease. From January 1982 to December 1986, 148 patients were randomized either to receive immediate treatment with chlorambucil (CLB) or to defer therapy to the time of progression. The early and stable phase of the disease was defined by a total tumor mass (TTM) score < 9, the absence of anemia or thrombocytopenia and a doubling time > 12 months. The main end-point of the study was survival. At the last evaluation in April 1993, after a median follow-up of 75 months, no significant difference was found in overall survival between early vs. deferred treatment patients from every cause of death as well as from death due to CLL-related causes only. The same results were obtained when the patients in more favorable stages, such as Binet stage A and TTM < 4.5, were considered. Interestingly, the incidence of epithelial cancer was similar in the two groups. Early treatment was associated with a significantly better response and a lower progression rate. From this long-term experience, it can be concluded that immediate chemotherapy with CLB is not beneficial for CLL patients in early and stable phase of the disease in terms of survival.     

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: When and how to treat

Summary In the 4th International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL), staging and response criteria were proposed to help physicians make decisions on when and how to treat patients with CLL. The most important factor is prolonging survival. There are several promising new treatment approaches under investigation, and the criteria proposed should facilitate future therapy trials.Supported in part by grants 89-0353 (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias de la Seguridad Social), PA 85-0234 and PB 86-0593 (Dirreción General de Investigación Científica y Técnica), Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia