Influence of progestogen therapy on T lymphocyte subsets.
The distribution of T lymphocyte subsets was determined in 22 patients with endometrial carcinoma stage 1. Following surgery and postoperative radiotherapy the patients had been "randomized" into two groups: group A patients received no further treatment, whereas group B patients were treated with 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate for one year. T cells and T cell subsets were estimated by an indirect immunofluorescence technique using the monoclonal antibodies UCHT3 (mature T cells), OKT4 (T helper cells), and OKT8 (T suppressor/cytotoxic cells). When examined 3-12 months after randomization the two groups had similar numbers of UCHT3+ cells and OKT4+ cells. Group B patients, however, had a significantly lower proportion of OKT8+ cells and hence a significantly higher OKT4/OKT8 ratio than group A patients. It is concluded that progestogen therapy has some immunomodulating effects.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D045167:Progesterone Congeners