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

Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes from six patients with B-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 Tn expression may be a useful diagnostic and prognostic marker for B-CLL. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.