Prognostic significance of accessory cells and lymphocytes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Forty-five consecutive biopsy specimens of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and 10 biopsies of healthy nasopharyngeal mucosa obtained from non-cancer patients were investigated by immunohistochemical methods. Monoclonal (B2, T1) and policlonal antibodies (against S-100 protein and lysozyme) with reference to infiltrating lymphocytes and accessory cells (monocytic/macrophagic and dendritic cells) were used. Variable population densities of dendritic cells (S100+) were demonstrated in 22 out of the 45 cases (49%) of NPC; the distribution of these cells was typically within the cancer nests. Monocytic/macrophagic cells (Lys+) were found along the tumor margins and interspersed among the tumor cells in 14 out of 45 (31%) cases. No significant statistical correlation between density of accessory cells and histological type of NPC (classified according to Micheau criteria) was found. Cases with a moderate to marked density of dendritic and monocytic/macrophagic cells survived longer than those with a slight one (mean survival of 63%, 67% and 29%, 27% respectively). In NPC tissues T-lymphocyte infiltration was prevalent. In contrast, B cells were numerous and T cells rare in normal control tissues. The intensity of T-cell infiltration was significantly high in cases with a marked density of S-100+ cells, according to the ability of these cells to present antigens to sensitized T-cells. This study suggests a prognostic significance for reactive cells infiltrating NPC, which means longer survival for cases associated with marked infiltration density of accessory cells.
Giannini
A
A
Institute of Anatomic Pathology, University of Florence, Italy.
Bianchi
S
S
Messerini
L
L
Gallo
O
O
Gallina
E
E
Asprella Libonati
G
G
Olmi
P
P
Zampi
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis
D015415:Biomarkers