title: Circulating T cell subsets in the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome.
abstract: Peripheral blood T cell subsets were measured using monoclonal antibodies and a fluorescence activated cell sorter in 15 untreated patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (nine with small cell carcinoma, one undifferentiated epithelial tumour (ca-LEMS], five with no demonstrable tumour (non-ca-LEMS), 10 age-matched healthy controls and 10 patients with small cell carcinoma without neurological disease. OKT8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic) T cells were significantly decreased in ca-LEMS compared with non-ca LEMS (p less than 0.001) ca-controls (p less than 0.01) and healthy controls (p less than 0.001). In one patient depressed OKT8+ T cells antedated clinically evident tumour by five months. OKT3+ (total) and OKT4+ (helper) T cells were similar in ca-LEMS, non-ca LEMS and controls. The mechanism underlying the loss of circulating OKT8+ T cells in ca-LEMS is unknown, but these changes may help to predict the presence of carcinoma in this disease.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Robb
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Bowley
authors.forename: H N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Willcox
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Newsom-Davis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000097:blood*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D013577:Syndrome; D013601:T-Lymphocytes
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal