Tumor cells from eight adult patients with T-cell chronic malignancies were investigated with a series of monoclonal antibodies recognizing T-cell differentiation antigens. This series allowed definition of discrete subpopulations of mature T cells with functional specialization. All six patients with Sézary syndrome and one patient with T-chronic lymphocytic leukemia had cells with the same phenotype as normal helper/inducer T cells, whereas the other patient with T-chronic lymphocytic leukemia had cell with the same phenotype as normal cytotoxic/suppressor T cells. Some clinical manifestations observed in these patients may reflect retention of functional activities by their malignant cells.