Increased number of circulating suppressor T-lymphocytes in sun-induced multiple skin cancers.
The distribution of peripheral lymphocyte subsets was studied in fifteen patients with multiple nonmelanoma skin cancers, selected according to history of ultraviolet (UV) or X-ray exposure. The skin cancer was associated with previous heavy exposure to UV light in seven patients, and past exposure to x-rays in eight patients. In the UV group, the helper T-lymphocytes/suppressor T-lymphocytes (Th/Ts) ratio was abnormally low (P less than 0.01) compared with the ratios of the x-ray and control groups. The low Th/Ts ratio was associated with an absolute increase in the number of Ts. This suggests that heavy sun exposure may cause a permanent increase in the number of Ts in certain persons. These extra T-lymphocytes may in turn prevent immune rejection of transformed keratinocytes.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000276:immunology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000032:analysis*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000032:analysis*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects