Transferrin receptor expression in the leukaemias and lymphoproliferative disorders.

The expression of the transferrin receptor (TfR) was studied in the acute leukaemias and lymphoproliferative disorders by means of indirect immunofluorescence and/or the enhanced alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) techniques using monoclonal antibodies to the receptor. A total of 174 cases of acute leukaemia and lymphoproliferative disorder were studied. The results indicate that the receptor is expressed with increased density in the majority of positive cases of acute leukaemia. The lymphoproliferative disorders, however, only expressed the receptor in a minority of cases and did so with weak density. It is proposed that this weak expression in the lymphoproliferative disorders may be of use as an indicator of an increase in cell activity.