The cytophotometric estimation of the desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content of individual plasma cells from multiple myeloma and nonspecific plasmacytoses.

By NiChoLAs L. PETRAKIS AND Lois J. F0LsTAn T HE HISTOGENESIS of plasma cells amid their relatiomiship to the plasma cells associated with multiple myelonia has been a subject of (onsiderai)le controversy. Many authorities consider the plasma cell systemii to be an independent. blood (dl series arising from the hemat.opoietic reticulum cells.m3 Some have designated the plasnia cells of multiple niyelomiia as “myeloma cells” amid comisider them to be neoplastic forms of plasma cells.47 Others do not separate niveloma cells froni nomi-specific plasrnacyt.oses l)ut. believe theni to he morphologically similar to imniature forms of plasmacytes.5’ Al)normalities of the nucleus, such as IiiultimiucleatioIi, gia.mit nuclei, incompletely divided miuclei, amid nuclei of umiedlual size are frequently foumid in plasma cells, being especially commomi in niultiple myeloma.’#{176}’2 Of additional interest