Autologous T lymphocytes may specifically recognize leukaemic B cells in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

This study analysed a naturally occurring specific cellular immunity against tumour cells in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients. Five out of eight patients had blood T lymphocytes able to recognize spontaneously and specifically the autologous tumour B cells (proliferation assay). In these five patients, detection of cytokines by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was the most abundant cytokine gene expressed by the T cells that recognized the autologous tumour B cells. Other activated cytokine genes were gamma-interferon (IFN), interleukin (IL)-2 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, but not IL-4. This profile suggests a type 1 anti-B-CLL T-cell response. CD80 and CD54 were relatively downregulated on the native tumour B cells compared with control normal B cells. Upregulation of CD80 on the leukaemic cells was mandatory for the induction of such a specific T-cell response. CD80 and CD54 monoclonal antibodies inhibited the specific T-cell DNA synthesis proliferation. The proliferative T-cell response was either MHC class I or class II restricted (inhibition by monoclonal antibodies). The specific cytokine gene expression could be found in isolated CD4, as well as CD8, T-cell subsets. This study demonstrated the presence of a potential natural specific CD4, as well as a CD8 type 1 T-cell immunity against the leukaemic CLL tumour B cells in CLL. A further detailed analysis of the spontaneous anti-CLL T-cell immunity is warranted that may facilitate the development of effective anti-tumour vaccines in CLL.