Cytology and colchicine sensitivity of viable cells from lymph nodes with malignant lymphoma

Abstract

Viable cell suspensions were prepared from 31 nodes diagnosed non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma, and from 30 non-malignant nodes. The cells were examined and counted by phase contrast microscopy. The suspensions were characterized by the percentage of large cells and by a colchicine-sensitivity index.The finding of more than 6% large cells or the finding of a sensitivity index of more than 30% was considered a positive test for a malignant lymphoma.According to these criteria there were 2 false positives in 30 reactive nodes and one false negative in 31 malignant nodes. Findings on 3 nodes diagnosed angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy suggested malignancy. The colchicinesensitivity index of blood lymphocytes seemed useful for monitoring lymphoma patients for leukemic involvement.Cancer 4 1 : 184 5 -185 6, 1 9 78.

Colchicine ultrasensitivity of peripheral-blood lymphocytes from patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

“…The presence of a high proportion of CUS cells in 77% of tissue biopsy samples from 30 patients with NHDL is a similar result to that found by Schrek et al (1978). They reported that 22 (85%) of 26 lymphnode specimens showed CUS, but only 1/22 reactive nodes studied as controls.…”

“…A "nucleus-associated tubulincontaining structure" was found in virtually all lymphocytes from normal subjects, but in a considerably lower number of CLL lymphocytes (Dighiero et al, 1978). This hypothesis of the mode of action of colchicine, however, does not explain the finding that the ionophore A23187, which causes uptake into the cell of calcium and other divalent ions, induces resistance to colchicine and vincristine (Schrek et al, 1978).…”

“…Unfortunately only 2 lymph nodes with a DH pattern were studied, one of which was CUS. Schrek et al (1978) were able to test 7 lymph nodes involved with a DH lymphoma, 5 of which contained CUS cells. Thus it appears that there were no major differences in colchicine sensitivity of tissue biopsy specimens between the different histopathological groups, and if the cells are present in the peripheral r'l99 blood in sufficient numbers they should be detected by colchicine ultrasensitivity.…”

“…Preliminary studies have shown that colchicine ultrasensitivity may be useful in distinguishing between lymph nodes involved with NHDL and those which show a reactive histological pattern. It has also been suggested that colchicine ultrasensitivity may be useful in deciding whether an anaplastic tumour is of epithelial or lymphoid origin (Schrek et al, 1978 …”

“…All the patients with CUS lymphocytes had lymphocyte counts below 7 x 109/1. Schrek et al (1978) found CUS lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of 10/13 patients with NHDL. Four of these patients, however, had lymphocyte counts greater than 7 x 109/1 and two more had circulating large morphologically abnormal cells.…”