Hematopathology / FLOW CYTOMETRY USING ANTI–T-CELL RECEPTOR ANTIBODIES Detection of Mature T-Cell Leukemias by Flow Cytometry Using Anti–T-Cell Receptor Vβ Antibodies

A b s t r a c t A broad array of antibodies directed against the variable (V) region of the T-cell receptor (TCR) β (Vβ) chain has become available in a directly conjugated multicolor format that permits assessment of 19 of 25 Vβ families, covering 70 % of the normal circulating T-cell repertoire. These antibodies were used to detect expanded T-cell populations in 43 peripheral blood samples submitted for suspected T-cell malignancy. Of 43 samples, 27 were diagnosed as follows: T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia, 14 samples; Sézary syndrome, 4 samples; T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, 5 samples; or T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma or T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder not otherwise specified, 4 samples. The remaining 16 samples were determined t