Circulating immune complexes in leukaemias and lymphomas.

ABSTRACT

Circulating immune complexes (ClC) were estimated in 78 patients of leukaemias and lymphomas by Clq deviation ELISA and PEG assay. In all leukaemias a significant elevation in ClC was seen at the time of first presentation. While in ALL a decrease occurred on therapy as partial or complete remission was achieved, no such fall was seen in AML or CML-BC when treated. ClC levels were much higher in non-Hodgkins lymphoma than in Hodgkins disease and showed a direct correlation with B symptoms and activity of the disease. The ClC levels were highest in null-ALL followed by those in common ALL and T-ALL. The mean duration of remission in patients of ALL without elevation in ClC was much longer than in those with ClC.