ALBERT

Beschreibung: Intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LD) isoenzyme patterns were studied in the malignant cells of patients with a variety of lymphoid malignancies. These were compared with intracellular LD isoenzyme patterns of normal lymphoid cells and were also correlated with immunologic cell surface marker characteristics. Results showed that, in general, the malignant B cells of Burkitt's lymphoma and the lymphoblasts of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia had isoenzyme patterns similar to those of normal B and T cells, respectively. The isoenzyme patterns of malignant lymphoid cells from patients with non- T, and non-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia were more heterogeneous. These data, although based on small numbers of patients, are consistent with the hypothesis that LD isoenzymes may reflect differences in the maturational status of cells within a single diagnostic category.

Beschreibung: Cytogenetic studies were done in two cases of Burkitt's lymphoma in homosexual individuals with possible acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The chromosomal abnormalities found are consistent with those previously described in the nonendemic form of Burkitt's lymphoma, with one of the two patients having the variant translocation, t(8;22). The production of the kappa light chain immunoglobulin by the tumor cells from the patient having t(8;22) and the occurrence of the different sites of translocation of the duplication of 1 q in the second patient are unusual findings. Whether there is an increase in the incidence of the variant translocation t(8;22) is yet to be determined.

Beschreibung: We have used a single intensive chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of young patients with diffuse, aggressive, malignant lymphomas. There were two major histologic types of lymphoma in our series: lymphoblastic lymphomas, which presented most often with mediastinal tumor (64%), and undifferentiated lymphomas (mostly Burkitt’s lymphomas), which occurred predominantly in the abdomen (86%). Our objective was to examine the determinants of prognosis in a uniformly treated patient group that included 31 children (2–16 yr) and 34 young adults 17–35 yr). Patients with extensive bone marrow involvement (greater than 50% replacement by tumor cells) were included in the study. Treatment consisted essentially of a 4-drug combination (cytoxan, adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisone) alternating with a 42-hr methotrexate infusion, followed by leukovorin rescue, and included intrathecal prophylactic therapy against central nervous system (CNS) disease. Patients with localized or resected undifferentiated lymphoma received 6 therapy cycles; all other patients received 15 cycles. Radiation therapy was used only in exceptional circumstances. Fifty-eight of 65 patients (89%) achieved complete remission: 97% of children and 82% of adults. The estimated 3-yr survival was 60% (SE 6.4%) with a median follow-up of 3 yr. Analysis of factors associated with remission duration and survival indicated that bone marrow involvement at referral and extensive disease were poor prognostic variables. Patients with lymphoblastic lymphomas and patients with completely resected undifferentiated lymphomas had the best prognosis (81% +/- 12% and 94% +/- 6% estimated 3-yr survival, respectively). Patients with extensive intraabdominal undifferentiated lymphoma (stage D) had the worst prognosis (33% +/- 11% estimated 3 yr survival), but even in this subgroup, bone marrow involvement was an adverse factor (estimated survival in stage D patients with and without bone marrow involvement was 14% +/- 13% and 43% +/- 15%, respectively). Elevated uric acid and/or lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were also of prognostic significance, but predominantly reflected state, i.e., extent of disease. Age did not significantly influence prognosis. In the undifferentiated lymphoma subgroup, histology (i.e., Burkitt's lymphoma versus non-Burkitt’s lymphoma) was not of prognostic significance. Total white count was below 1,000/cu mm in 39% of cycles, and fever associated with granulocytopenia occurred in 17% of cycles. Stomatitis of moderate to severe extent occurred in 50% of cycles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Beschreibung: Evidence is presented that at least 17% of microscopically normal bone marrow samples obtained from patients with undifferentiated lymphomas contain occult tumor cells. Of 19 microscopically normal bone marrow samples tested, continuous tumor cell lines were obtained from 4. A tumor cell origin was confirmed by the presence of an 8;14 chromosomal translocation in each case, and HLA typing confirmed the patient origin of the cell line. In two other patients, direct cytogenetic examination of microscopically normal bone marrow samples revealed karyotypes containing 8:14 translocations or a 14q+ chromosome. These findings indicate that undifferentiated lymphomas are often more widespread than is clinically appreciated. The presence of submicroscopic marrow involvement is also of significance to the design and analysis of treatment protocols involving autologous marrow infusion.

Beschreibung: Intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LD) isoenzyme patterns were studied in the malignant cells of patients with a variety of lymphoid malignancies. These were compared with intracellular LD isoenzyme patterns of normal lymphoid cells and were also correlated with immunologic cell surface marker characteristics. Results showed that, in general, the malignant B cells of Burkitt's lymphoma and the lymphoblasts of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia had isoenzyme patterns similar to those of normal B and T cells, respectively. The isoenzyme patterns of malignant lymphoid cells from patients with non- T, and non-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia were more heterogeneous. These data, although based on small numbers of patients, are consistent with the hypothesis that LD isoenzymes may reflect differences in the maturational status of cells within a single diagnostic category.

Beschreibung: A particular translocation between chromosomes 8 and 14 has been found repeatedly in cytogenetic studies of Burkitt lymphoma, both of African and non-African origin. We report here our findings in cytogenetic studies of direct tumor preparations from 18 non-African Burkitt lymphoma patients, 9 of whom also had cell lines available for study. A t(8;14) was found in direct tumor material in 10 of the 18 patients. Seven of the 9 cell lines had a t(8;14). A total of 15 patients had either a t(8;14) or a 14q+ present in tumor material and/or cell lines. In addition, 8 patients had a peculiar marker chromosome 1. The t(8;14) was not found in every malignant cell and, where present, it was rarely the sole karyotypic abnormality. The relationship of the t(8;14) to the evolution of the tumor is discussed.

Beschreibung: Evidence is presented that at least 17% of microscopically normal bone marrow samples obtained from patients with undifferentiated lymphomas contain occult tumor cells. Of 19 microscopically normal bone marrow samples tested, continuous tumor cell lines were obtained from 4. A tumor cell origin was confirmed by the presence of an 8;14 chromosomal translocation in each case, and HLA typing confirmed the patient origin of the cell line. In two other patients, direct cytogenetic examination of microscopically normal bone marrow samples revealed karyotypes containing 8:14 translocations or a 14q+ chromosome. These findings indicate that undifferentiated lymphomas are often more widespread than is clinically appreciated. The presence of submicroscopic marrow involvement is also of significance to the design and analysis of treatment protocols involving autologous marrow infusion.

Beschreibung: Cytogenetic studies were done in two cases of Burkitt's lymphoma in homosexual individuals with possible acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The chromosomal abnormalities found are consistent with those previously described in the nonendemic form of Burkitt's lymphoma, with one of the two patients having the variant translocation, t(8;22). The production of the kappa light chain immunoglobulin by the tumor cells from the patient having t(8;22) and the occurrence of the different sites of translocation of the duplication of 1 q in the second patient are unusual findings. Whether there is an increase in the incidence of the variant translocation t(8;22) is yet to be determined.

Beschreibung: We have used a single intensive chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of young patients with diffuse, aggressive, malignant lymphomas. There were two major histologic types of lymphoma in our series: lymphoblastic lymphomas, which presented most often with mediastinal tumor (64%), and undifferentiated lymphomas (mostly Burkitt’s lymphomas), which occurred predominantly in the abdomen (86%). Our objective was to examine the determinants of prognosis in a uniformly treated patient group that included 31 children (2–16 yr) and 34 young adults 17–35 yr). Patients with extensive bone marrow involvement (greater than 50% replacement by tumor cells) were included in the study. Treatment consisted essentially of a 4-drug combination (cytoxan, adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisone) alternating with a 42-hr methotrexate infusion, followed by leukovorin rescue, and included intrathecal prophylactic therapy against central nervous system (CNS) disease. Patients with localized or resected undifferentiated lymphoma received 6 therapy cycles; all other patients received 15 cycles. Radiation therapy was used only in exceptional circumstances. Fifty-eight of 65 patients (89%) achieved complete remission: 97% of children and 82% of adults. The estimated 3-yr survival was 60% (SE 6.4%) with a median follow-up of 3 yr. Analysis of factors associated with remission duration and survival indicated that bone marrow involvement at referral and extensive disease were poor prognostic variables. Patients with lymphoblastic lymphomas and patients with completely resected undifferentiated lymphomas had the best prognosis (81% +/- 12% and 94% +/- 6% estimated 3-yr survival, respectively). Patients with extensive intraabdominal undifferentiated lymphoma (stage D) had the worst prognosis (33% +/- 11% estimated 3 yr survival), but even in this subgroup, bone marrow involvement was an adverse factor (estimated survival in stage D patients with and without bone marrow involvement was 14% +/- 13% and 43% +/- 15%, respectively). Elevated uric acid and/or lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were also of prognostic significance, but predominantly reflected state, i.e., extent of disease. Age did not significantly influence prognosis. In the undifferentiated lymphoma subgroup, histology (i.e., Burkitt's lymphoma versus non-Burkitt’s lymphoma) was not of prognostic significance. Total white count was below 1,000/cu mm in 39% of cycles, and fever associated with granulocytopenia occurred in 17% of cycles. Stomatitis of moderate to severe extent occurred in 50% of cycles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Beschreibung: A particular translocation between chromosomes 8 and 14 has been found repeatedly in cytogenetic studies of Burkitt lymphoma, both of African and non-African origin. We report here our findings in cytogenetic studies of direct tumor preparations from 18 non-African Burkitt lymphoma patients, 9 of whom also had cell lines available for study. A t(8;14) was found in direct tumor material in 10 of the 18 patients. Seven of the 9 cell lines had a t(8;14). A total of 15 patients had either a t(8;14) or a 14q+ present in tumor material and/or cell lines. In addition, 8 patients had a peculiar marker chromosome 1. The t(8;14) was not found in every malignant cell and, where present, it was rarely the sole karyotypic abnormality. The relationship of the t(8;14) to the evolution of the tumor is discussed.