Establishment and characterization of leukemic T-cell lines, B-cell lines, and null-cell line: a progress report on surface antigen study of fresh lymphatic leukemias in man.

Permanent human hematopoietic cell lines representing T-cell, B-cell and non T/non B (null-cell) leukemia have been established. Comparative analyses were made for their phenotype characteristics. A number of characteristics common within the 7 T-cell lines studied or distinct from other leukemia-type lines were described. Usefulness, validity and limitation of these findings are discussed in connection to the attempt at classification of ALL, CLL and blastic phase of CML. The great majority of CLL were SmIg+-B-cell leukemia and a single case of T-cell CLL was documented. Except 10% as T-cell ALL and a single case of B-cell ALL, the majority of ALL were found to be the non T/non B ALL. Nevertheless, little evidence was suggested from the present study in favor for a notion that the T-cell ALL and the non T/non B ALL are two distinct diseases.