A familial occurrence of natural killer cell--T-lymphocyte proliferation disease in two children

Cancer. 1991 May 15;67(10):2610-7. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19910515)67:10<2610::aid-cncr2820671035>3.0.co;2-w.

Abstract

Several reports describe the association of hyperlymphocytosis with neutropenia. This syndrome, named lymphoproliferative disease, is characterized by a chronic indolent clinical course, bone marrow lymphocyte infiltration, and granulopenia of central origin. The proliferating lymphocytes share large granular lymphocyte natural killer cell and T-lymphocyte characteristics. They are either of monoclonal or polyclonal origin. In this report the familial occurrence of a similar syndrome observed in two children is described. Lymphocyte morphologic abnormalities including nuclear pockets, were noted, a feature usually present in leukemic cells. Lymphocyte proliferation was distinct in each case as shown by the presence of a predominant CD4+ cell population in one and a predominant CD8+ population in the other. Monoclonal gene rearrangements of T-cell receptor beta-chain gene were found although clonal variations occurred with time in one patient. The cause of this unique familial occurrence of monoclonal lymphoproliferation associated with neutropenia is unknown.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Agranulocytosis / complications*
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / analysis
  • Cell Nucleus / pathology
  • Family
  • Female
  • Gene Rearrangement, beta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / blood
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / etiology*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / genetics
  • Male
  • Phenotype
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology

Substances

  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte