title: Assessment of immunocompetent cells in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck have impaired T cell function and poor tumor-specific responsiveness. Disproportionate levels of circulating immunocompetent cells could be one reason for this diminished immunity. In this study, a panel of monoclonal antibodies and flow cytofluorometry were used to define the relative proportions of selected immune cell populations. We detected a deficiency of the interleukin-2-producing subset of T helper-inducer cells (TH 5.2+) in these patients. Our data showed no significant differences in circulating levels of total T cells, T cell subsets, B cells, monocytes, or natural killer cells when compared to age, alcohol- and tobacco-use matched controls.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000032:analysis; D008264:Macrophages / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007376:Interleukin-2