Changes in helper and suppressor T lymphocytes following radiotherapy for breast cancer.
Changes in total lymphocyte, T lymphocyte, T helper and T suppressor lymphocyte numbers were studied in 22 patients with breast cancer before and after radiotherapy. T lymphocyte subsets were measured using monoclonal antibodies and fluorescence microscopy. After treatment the total lymphocyte count fell significantly and was still reduced 9 months later, but the proportion of cells labelled as T lymphocytes was unchanged during this period. The helper-suppressor ratio, which was within the normal range before radiotherapy, was significantly reduced at 3 months and 9 months after. Following treatment both T helper and T suppressor cell numbers were significantly reduced. T helper cell numbers remained reduced throughout the study period but T suppressor cell numbers showed a recovery to normal values 9 months after radiotherapy.
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000032:analysis*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000032:analysis*