CD8-POSITIVE B-CELL CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA - A REPORT OF 2 CASES

Most B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemias and a small normal subset of B lymphocytes express the T-cell-associated CD5 antigen; expression o f other T-cell antigens has been reported only rarely. The authors rep ort two cases of typical B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, seen dur ing 1 year, in which two-color flow cytometric analysis documented exp ression of the T-cell-associated CD8 antigen by the monoclonal B cells . Genotypic studies showing immunoglobulin but not T-cell-receptor gen e rearrangements confirmed the B-cell origin of the neoplastic cells. The true frequency of the CD8-positive B-cell chronic lymphocytic leuk emia, any clinical implications, and the possibility of a normal subse t of CD5-positive CD8-positive B cells remain to be determined.