CHROMOSOMAL ANALYSIS OF PURIFIED B-CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA LYMPHOCYTE-CULTURES - COMPARISON WITH WHOLE-BLOOD CULTURES AND IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION

Chromosomal analysis of stimulated whole blood cells and purified B ly mphocytes was performed in 13 stage A(0) and 1 stage C(IV) chronic lym phocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patients. Abnormal clones were found in 6 ca ses in purified B lymphocytes cultures and in a single one in whole bl ood cultures. In situ hybridization with a chromosome 12 probe was in accordance with the chromosomal analysis of purified B-CLL lymphocytes and not with the results obtained using whole blood culture. Cytogene tic analysis of isolated B cells is simple and sensitive. It enhances the detection of abnormal clones in B-CLL and applied to larger series of patients, it should allow a precise evaluation of the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in CLL and of their clinical (prognostic) s ignificance.