Search

The electrophoretic mobility distributions of hairy cells, normal monocytes. CLL, and normal lymphocytes isolated from blood were determined by electrophoretic light scattering. Values obtained for hairy cells, 1.52 X 10(-4) cm2/V . sec, were indistinguishable from that of normal monocytes. The mobility of CLL lymphocytes was similar to that of normal B cells. After exposure to neuraminidase, hairy cells revealed a homogeneous distribution with a reduced mobility of 0.55 X 10(-4) cm2/V . sec, while normal monocytes showed a heterogeneous distribution of electrophoretic mobilities suggestive of subpopulations. The electrokinetic behavior of hairy cells thus differs from that or normal and CLL lymphocytes before, and from that of monocytes after, treatment with neuraminidase. The hairy cell therefore possesses a distinct pattern of surface charge properties that clearly distinguish it from the circulating B cells, T cells, or monocytes.

Two patients with progressive hairy cell leukemia following splenectomy were treated with low-dose daily chlorambucil. Both had an objective hematologic response as determined by a return to normal hematocrit and platelet count. This was also reflected in the mononuclear cell fraction by the normalization of cholesterol content, cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, and the lymphocyte subpopulations. This article confirms previous reports on the efficacy of chlorambucil in this setting and describes some morphological, and biochemical concomitant events.