T-lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood and tissues of cancer patients.
Patients with cancer often show impaired immune functions; however, the basis of this suppression is still not understood. In several experimental systems, human T-cells with receptors for Fc of immunoglobulin G may function as suppressors, and those with receptors for Fc of immunoglobulin M may function as helpers. Peripheral blood as well as tumor tissue infiltrates were examined for proportions and numbers of T gamma, T mu, or Ia-positive T-cells. Forty-five untreated patients with solid tumors and 24 patients with lymphomas were studied. An increase in the percentage of peripheral blood T gamma cells (p < 0.001) and a decrease in T mu cells (p < 0.0005) were recorded in all tumor patients when compared with 30 normal controls. Percentages and absolute numbers of peripheral blood Ia-positive T-cells were decreased (p < 0.001 and < 0.00001) in solid-tumor patients; by contrast, the proportion of peripheral blood Ia-positive T-cells was elevated (p < 0.005) in lymphoma subjects. Studies of cancer tissues from 46 untreated patients using immunofluorescence and mouse hybridoma antibody specific for T-cells showed that tumor lymphocytic infiltrates were composed mainly of T-cells. Double staining with fluorescein-conjugated specific anti-T gamma and Ia-positive T-cells within solid-tumor lymphoid infiltrates. A comparison of peripheral blood and tumor lymphocyte T-cell profiles revealed that, in some patients, low proportions of Ia-positive T-cells in blood were paralleled by a high percentage of such cells in tumor lymphoid infiltrates.
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell