Lymphocyte subset alterations in nodes regional to human melanoma.
The lymphocyte subpopulations in tumor-draining lymph nodes of melanoma patients were determined using two-color flow cytometry. Data were analyzed according to: (a) the staging of the melanoma; (b) whether or not the nodes contained tumor; and (c) their distance from the primary tumor. Compared with Stage I patients (without metastasis), uninvolved nodes of stage II patients (with nodal metastases) had a significant decrease in helper/inducer (CD4+) T-cells (P less than 0.001), with a corresponding increase in cytotoxic/suppressor (CD8+) cells (P less than 0.001) and Leu 19+ natural killer (CD56+) cells (P less than 0.01). In some patients the presence of tumor within a node was associated with a large decrease in CD3+ total T-cells, whereas in others tumor involvement had little influence on lymphocyte phenotypes. When analyzed by distance from the primary tumor, nodes closest to tumor in Stage I patients contained a smaller percentage of CD19+ B-cells. In Stage II, tumor-free nodes nearest to tumor showed an increase in CD19+ cells, but statistical significance was not reached. CD56+ natural killer cells increased progressively in nodes near tumor and were more numerous in Stage II uninvolved nodes compared with Stage I nodes. Alterations in phenotypically defined lymph node lymphocytes occur in nodes regional to melanoma as the disease progresses, as growth of metastases occurs, and in tumor-free nodes nearest to tumor. These alterations may be essential to the establishment and progression of metastases.
Farzad
Z
Z
Division of Surgical Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles 90024.
Cochran
A J
AJ
McBride
W H
WH
Gray
J D
JD
Wong
V
V
Morton
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D001365:Axilla; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis / Q000473:pathology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010641:Phenotype
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D016827:CD8 Antigens