Lymphocyte Surface Markers in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Lymphoblasts from 17 cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia were studied for the presence of lymphocytic surface markers. In one case, lymphoblasts displayed an increase in nonimmune rosette formation. In two cases, an increase in cells manifesting surface immunoglobulins was observed. Lymphoblasts from the other 14 cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia showed fewer cells forming spontaneous rosettes and fewer cells bearing surface immunoglobulins than lymphocytes from the control group. The lack of detectable surface markers on lymphoblasts from the majority of acute lymphocytic leukemia cases may be due to a loss or distortion of cell surface receptors during malignant transformation or a lack of differentiation of uncommitted leukemic cells along normal lines.