[Density distribution of human lymphocytes. II. Distribution patterns of malignant lymphocytes and their prognostic significance in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of density distribution profiles in non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Density profiles were evaluated by equilibrium centrifugation on linear polysucrose-metrizoat gradients. Biopsy cells from 44 untreated non-Hodgkin lymphomas in advanced stages according to their density patterns could be classified into one of two distinct groups: Group A lymphomas exhibited high to intermediate densities and resembled normal resting B or T lymphocytes; they showed low spontaneous proliferation and favourable histologies. Group B lymphomas exhibited light densities, resembling activated lymphocytes and frequently revealed high spontaneous proliferation and unfavourable histology. Within a minimal time of observation of 40 months only 28% of the group A but 75% of the Group B lymphomas died. Simultaneously performed surface marker studies excluded the possibility that variable proportions of normal lymphocytes contaminating the lymphoma suspensions are responsible for the two density groups. They rather suggested that these patterns reflect the individual capacity of a lymphoma to differentiate into denser tumour clones with low spontaneous proliferation. We therefore conclude that analyses of density profiles from non-Hodgkin lymphomas represenmts a promising method for the prognostic classification of this disease.