Alterations in lymphocyte subsets in blood may predict resectability in carcinoma of cardia or oesophagus.
Impaired immune responses in patients with carcinoma of cardia or oesophagus have previously been reported. However, we do not know whether resectability correlates with specific immunological variables. Immunological assessment was performed in 35 such cancer patients including measurement of total T cells (CD3+) and T cell subsets (CD4+ and CD8+), NK cells (CD16+) and B cells (CD19+) in blood. In vitro lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) separated from peripheral blood were quantitated. The numbers in peripheral blood of both total T cells (CD3+) and B lymphocytes (CD19+) were significantly lower in the inoperable patients compared to resected patients (P < 0.01). The number of NK cells (CD16+) was, however, not significantly lower in the inoperable patients compared to the patients operated for cure. Lymphocyte responses to PHA in vitro were similar in resectable and non-resectable patients, but significantly lower in inoperable patients compared to the controls (P < 0.01). In conclusion, resectability in carcinoma of cardia or oesophagus is associated with changes in both T (CD3+) and B (CD19+) cell subsets.
Bentdal
O H
OH
Department of Surgery, Rikshospitalet, The National Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway.
Frøland
S S
SS
Bosnes
V
V
Bergan
A
A
Søreide
O
O
Flatmark
A
A
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins