Changes in T-cell subsets after radiation therapy.
The T-cell subsets of 129 patients with cancer were counted before and after radiation therapy. The cells were labeled with monoclonal antibodies that were specific for each type of T cell. Significant changes after therapy were decreases in the proportion of T-helper/inducer cells, pan-T cells, and in the ratio of T-helper/inducer to T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells. There was an increase in the percentage of T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells. When the site of the primary cancer was considered, genitourinary cancer and cancer of the head and neck both showed a decreased percentage of T-helper/inducer cells and a reduced ratio of T-helper/inducer to T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells. The percentage of pan-T cells in head and neck cancer and the ratio of T-helper/inducer to T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells in breast cancer were decreased. The percentage of T-helper cells was particularly decreased by radiation therapy in advanced stages of cancer, in higher grade tumors, and in larger tumors. The absolute numbers of various T-cell subsets were decreased in all groups.
Yang
S J
SJ
Department of Radiation Oncology, Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY 11215.
Rafla
S
S
Youssef
E
E
Selim
H
H
Salloum
N
N
Chuang
J Y
JY
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014565:Urogenital Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal