Identification of a chemokinetic inhibitor in serum from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

The effects of serum from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CCL) on normal polymorphonuclear leucocyte migration (PMN) were examined by means of the leading front technique, using a modified Boyden chamber. 18 randomly selected patients were studied. 13 patients had a reduced chemokinetic activity. The defective migration was explained by the finding in serum from these patients of cell-directed inhibitory activity which was destroyed by heating (56 degrees C, 30 min). The B-lymphocytes as the origin of the inhibitory activity was suggested by the presence of a similar activity in supernatants from cultured tumour cells. 6 of the 18 patients had the combination of a defective chemokinetic activity and low levels of immunoglobulins. These 6 patients had an increased tendency towards infections.