Abstract
A modified electrophoretic mobility (EM) test was performed in 53 children with lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoma to examine their lymphocyte sensitization to myelin basic protein (encephalitogenic factor). Measurements in the cytopherometer were facilitated by using devitalized sheep erythrocytes as indicator particles instead of macrophages.
A significant decrease in electrophoretic mobility as compared to an 0-standard was found in 36 of 41 patients with ALL and in 12 of 12 patients with lymphoma; thus giving a sensitivity rate of 88 to 100 %. Only 1 out of 10 healthy individuals and 34 of 38 children with non-malignant disorders (autoimmune diseases excluded) also had a positive EM-test. Almost all patients with ALL were in hematological remission either on or off therapy. 4 of the 5 non-reactive children with ALL were at diagnosis or in phase I of induction therapy. No striking change in lymphocyte reactivity was seen between lymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin's or Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
These results indicate that patients with lymphoid malignancies have remaining lymphocytes which had been sensitized by a common antigen of the malignant cell clone in the beginning of the disease.
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Lampert, F., Nitzschke, U. & Zwergel, T. LYMPHOCYTE SENSITIZATION IN CHILDREN WITH LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA AND LYMPKOMA AS MEASURED BY THE ELECTROPHORETIC MOBILITY TEST. Pediatr Res 12, 68 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197801000-00049
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197801000-00049