Clinical spectrum of gammadelta+ T cell LGL leukemia: analysis of 20 cases

Leuk Res. 2008 Jan;32(1):45-8. doi: 10.1016/j.leukres.2007.04.011. Epub 2007 Jun 1.

Abstract

We report on the clinico-biological characteristics of 20 cases of gammadelta T cell large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia. All the data were compared to that of 196 cases with alphabeta T cell subtype, which represents the majority of T cell LGL leukemias. Clinical findings were quite similar in the two groups regarding age, sex ratio, recurrent infections, and association with auto-immune diseases especially rheumatoid arthritis. Gammadelta LGL predominantly expressed a CD3+/CD4-/CD8+/CD16+/CD57+ phenotype, in 50% of cases. Clinical outcome was favorable for these patients with overall survival of 85% at 3 years. Fifty percent of gammadelta patients required treatment and the response to therapy was estimated at 55%. gammadelta and alphabeta T cell LGL leukemia harbor a very similar clinico-biological behavior and represent part of an antigen-driven T cell lymphoproliferation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Autoimmune Diseases / complications
  • Clone Cells
  • Female
  • Gene Rearrangement, gamma-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Leukemia, T-Cell / diagnosis*
  • Leukemia, T-Cell / immunology
  • Leukopenia / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta*
  • Splenomegaly / diagnosis

Substances

  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta