Large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia is often associated with autoimmune diseases. The clinical associations of autoimmune diseases occurring in LGL leukemia are reviewed. Current concepts regarding the pathogenesis of LGL leukemia are summarized. It is suggested that LGL leukemia can serve as a useful model of dysregulated apoptosis as an underlying mechanism for both malignancy and autoimmune disease.
Keywords: Large granular lymphocytes; autoimmune disease; cytopenia.