Classification of mature t-cell leukemias

Classification of mature t-cell leukemias

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Access through your institution Buy or subscribe TO THE EDITOR We agree with Kussick _et al_1 that not every case of T-cell leukemia is easily classifiable. However, the only way forward in establishing the correct diagnosis and improving the WHO classification is to be able to define new disease entities. Currently, there are no data in the literature, nor in their letter, to support the view that there is a T-cell leukemia that should be classified as T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (T-CLL). Historically, the term ‘T-CLL’ was first used by Brouet _et al_2 in 1975, when they described patients who would now be considered largely to be part of T-cell large granular lymphocytic (T-LGL) leukemia and a few cases that we now call T-prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL). A large number of subsequent reports and data emerging from the literature have allowed us to separate T-LGL leukemia from T-PLL.3,4 Since then, there has been no clear evidence that a third entity, T-CLL, as proposed by Kussick _et al_,1 indeed exists. We recognize that in T-PLL there is a degree of morphological heterogeneity, which is already considered in the WHO classification5 and in our experience.3,4,5,6 Therefore, the classification of T-cell malignancies should not be based purely on the morphological criteria but substantiated by the underlying molecular/genetic features as well as clinical manifestations. Not all T-PLL cases have circulating cells with the morphology of prolymphocytes as in the classic 1974 description by Galton, which is more applicable to B-cell PLL. Although the term ‘prolymphocyte’ may not be ideal to use in this condition, it has been retained for historical reasons and indeed, provided everybody understands the disease behavior and what this term defines, this should not be an issue. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution ACCESS OPTIONS Access through your institution Subscribe to this journal Receive 12 print issues and online access $259.00 per year only $21.58 per issue Learn more Buy this article * Purchase on SpringerLink * Instant access to full article PDF Buy now Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout ADDITIONAL ACCESS OPTIONS: * Log in * Learn about institutional subscriptions * Read our FAQs * Contact customer support REFERENCES * Kussick SJ, Wood BL, Sabath DE . Mature T-cell leukemias which cannot be adequately classified under the new WHO classification of lymphoid neoplasms. _Leukemia_ 2002; 16: 2457–2458. Article  CAS  Google Scholar  * Brouet JC, Sasportes M, Flandrin G, Preud'Homme JL, Seligmann M . Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia of T-cell origin. Immunological and clinical evaluation in eleven patients. _Lancet_ 1975; 2: 890–893. Article  CAS  Google Scholar  * Matutes E, Brito-Babapulle V, Swansbury J, Ellis J, Morilla R, Dearden C _et al_. Clinical and laboratory features of 78 cases of T-prolymphocytic leukemia. _Blood_ 1991; 78: 3269–3274. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Catovsky D, Matutes E . Leukemias of mature T cells. _Neoplastic Hematopathol_ 2001; 43: 1589–1602. Google Scholar  * Catovsky D, Ralfkiaer E, Muller-Hermelink HK . T-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia. In: Jaffe ES, Harris NL, Stein H, Vardiman JW, _WHO Classification of Tumours of Haemopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues_. Lyon: IARC Press, 2001; 195–196. Google Scholar  * Matutes E, Garcia-Talavera J, O'Brien M, Catovsky D . The morphological spectrum of T-prolymphocytic leukaemia. _Br J Haematol_ 1986; 64: 111–124. Article  CAS  Google Scholar  * Matutes E, Brito-Babapulle V, Dearden C, Yuille M, Catovsky D . Prolymphocytic leukemia of B and T cell types. Biology and therapy. _Chronic Lymphoid Leukemias_ 2000; 24: 525–542. Google Scholar  * Yuille MAR, Coignet LJA, Abraham SM, Yaqub F, Luo L, Matutes E _et al_. ATM is usually rearranged in T-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia. _Oncogene_ 1998; 16: 789–796. Article  CAS  Google Scholar  * Brito-Babapulle V, Pomfret M, Matutes E, Catovsky D . Cytogenetic studies on prolymphocytic leukemia. II. T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia. _Blood_ 1987; 70: 926–931. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Harris NL, Jaffe ES, Stein H, Banks PM, Chan JK, Cleary ML _et al_. A revised European–American classification of lymphoid neoplasms: a proposal from the International Lymphoma Study Group. _Blood_ 1994; 84: 1361–1392. CAS  Google Scholar  * Pawson R, Dyer MJS, Barge R, Matutes E, Thornton PD, Emmett E _et al_. Treatment of T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia with human CDw52 antibody. _J Clin Oncol_ 1997; 15: 2667–2672. Article  CAS  Google Scholar  * Dearden CE, Matutes E, Cazin B, Tjonnfjord GE, Parreira A _et al_. High remission rate in T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia with Campath-1H. _Blood_ 2001; 98: 1721–1726. Article  CAS  Google Scholar  Download references AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Academic Department of Haematology & Cytogenetics, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK E Matutes & D Catovsky Authors * E Matutes View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * D Catovsky View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Matutes, E., Catovsky, D. Classification of mature T-cell leukemias. _Leukemia_ 17, 1682–1683 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2403003 Download citation * Received: 14 March 2003 * Accepted: 26 March 2003 * Published: 29 July 2003 * Issue Date: 01 August 2003 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2403003 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Get shareable link Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. Copy to clipboard Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

Access through your institution Buy or subscribe TO THE EDITOR We agree with Kussick _et al_1 that not every case of T-cell leukemia is easily classifiable. However, the only way forward in


establishing the correct diagnosis and improving the WHO classification is to be able to define new disease entities. Currently, there are no data in the literature, nor in their letter, to


support the view that there is a T-cell leukemia that should be classified as T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (T-CLL). Historically, the term ‘T-CLL’ was first used by Brouet _et al_2 in


1975, when they described patients who would now be considered largely to be part of T-cell large granular lymphocytic (T-LGL) leukemia and a few cases that we now call T-prolymphocytic


leukemia (T-PLL). A large number of subsequent reports and data emerging from the literature have allowed us to separate T-LGL leukemia from T-PLL.3,4 Since then, there has been no clear


evidence that a third entity, T-CLL, as proposed by Kussick _et al_,1 indeed exists. We recognize that in T-PLL there is a degree of morphological heterogeneity, which is already considered


in the WHO classification5 and in our experience.3,4,5,6 Therefore, the classification of T-cell malignancies should not be based purely on the morphological criteria but substantiated by


the underlying molecular/genetic features as well as clinical manifestations. Not all T-PLL cases have circulating cells with the morphology of prolymphocytes as in the classic 1974


description by Galton, which is more applicable to B-cell PLL. Although the term ‘prolymphocyte’ may not be ideal to use in this condition, it has been retained for historical reasons and


indeed, provided everybody understands the disease behavior and what this term defines, this should not be an issue. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution


ACCESS OPTIONS Access through your institution Subscribe to this journal Receive 12 print issues and online access $259.00 per year only $21.58 per issue Learn more Buy this article *


Purchase on SpringerLink * Instant access to full article PDF Buy now Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout ADDITIONAL ACCESS OPTIONS: * Log in * Learn


about institutional subscriptions * Read our FAQs * Contact customer support REFERENCES * Kussick SJ, Wood BL, Sabath DE . Mature T-cell leukemias which cannot be adequately classified under


the new WHO classification of lymphoid neoplasms. _Leukemia_ 2002; 16: 2457–2458. Article  CAS  Google Scholar  * Brouet JC, Sasportes M, Flandrin G, Preud'Homme JL, Seligmann M .


Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia of T-cell origin. Immunological and clinical evaluation in eleven patients. _Lancet_ 1975; 2: 890–893. Article  CAS  Google Scholar  * Matutes E,


Brito-Babapulle V, Swansbury J, Ellis J, Morilla R, Dearden C _et al_. Clinical and laboratory features of 78 cases of T-prolymphocytic leukemia. _Blood_ 1991; 78: 3269–3274. CAS  PubMed 


Google Scholar  * Catovsky D, Matutes E . Leukemias of mature T cells. _Neoplastic Hematopathol_ 2001; 43: 1589–1602. Google Scholar  * Catovsky D, Ralfkiaer E, Muller-Hermelink HK . T-cell


prolymphocytic leukaemia. In: Jaffe ES, Harris NL, Stein H, Vardiman JW, _WHO Classification of Tumours of Haemopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues_. Lyon: IARC Press, 2001; 195–196. Google Scholar


  * Matutes E, Garcia-Talavera J, O'Brien M, Catovsky D . The morphological spectrum of T-prolymphocytic leukaemia. _Br J Haematol_ 1986; 64: 111–124. Article  CAS  Google Scholar  *


Matutes E, Brito-Babapulle V, Dearden C, Yuille M, Catovsky D . Prolymphocytic leukemia of B and T cell types. Biology and therapy. _Chronic Lymphoid Leukemias_ 2000; 24: 525–542. Google


Scholar  * Yuille MAR, Coignet LJA, Abraham SM, Yaqub F, Luo L, Matutes E _et al_. ATM is usually rearranged in T-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia. _Oncogene_ 1998; 16: 789–796. Article  CAS 


Google Scholar  * Brito-Babapulle V, Pomfret M, Matutes E, Catovsky D . Cytogenetic studies on prolymphocytic leukemia. II. T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia. _Blood_ 1987; 70: 926–931. CAS 


PubMed  Google Scholar  * Harris NL, Jaffe ES, Stein H, Banks PM, Chan JK, Cleary ML _et al_. A revised European–American classification of lymphoid neoplasms: a proposal from the


International Lymphoma Study Group. _Blood_ 1994; 84: 1361–1392. CAS  Google Scholar  * Pawson R, Dyer MJS, Barge R, Matutes E, Thornton PD, Emmett E _et al_. Treatment of T-cell


prolymphocytic leukemia with human CDw52 antibody. _J Clin Oncol_ 1997; 15: 2667–2672. Article  CAS  Google Scholar  * Dearden CE, Matutes E, Cazin B, Tjonnfjord GE, Parreira A _et al_. High


remission rate in T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia with Campath-1H. _Blood_ 2001; 98: 1721–1726. Article  CAS  Google Scholar  Download references AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS


* Academic Department of Haematology & Cytogenetics, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK E Matutes & D Catovsky Authors * E Matutes View author publications You can also search


for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * D Catovsky View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions


ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Matutes, E., Catovsky, D. Classification of mature T-cell leukemias. _Leukemia_ 17, 1682–1683 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2403003 Download


citation * Received: 14 March 2003 * Accepted: 26 March 2003 * Published: 29 July 2003 * Issue Date: 01 August 2003 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2403003 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone


you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Get shareable link Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. Copy to clipboard Provided by the


Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative