Differential expression of cell adhesion molecules in b-zone small lymphocytic lymphoma and other well-differentiated lymphocytic disorders

Abstract

These data suggest that the adhesion phenotype of BZSLL, by favoring homotypic and heterotypic adhesive interactions of tumor cells, might account at least in part for the peculiar intranodal compartmentalization leading to a deceptively benign (reactive) histologic appearance, and for the smoldering clinical course of this lymphoma. The pattern of CAM expression detected by the authors on malignant lymphocytes also is suggestive for a cellular origin of BZSLL from a rare subset of interfollicular or external mantle B-lymphocytes.