Partial regression in primary carcinoma of the lung: does it occur?
OBJECTIVE
To study immunohistochemically a group of 28 primary lung cancers which demonstrated histological features reminiscent of those characteristic of regression in malignant melanoma, to determine the phenotype of their immune cell infiltrates.


RESULTS
Using a standard s-ABC immunoperoxidase method then quantification by the Leica Q500 MC image analyser, the cellular infiltrate in these tumours, when compared to 67 control cases, showed excess CD3 + T lymphocytes (P < 0.007), with an increase in CD4:CD8 ratio and increased CD68 + macrophages (P = 0.00001). CD57 + natural killer cells and S100 + Langerhans cells were also increased, but not quite significantly (P = 0.048 and P = 0.072, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
This immunophenotype resembles that shown in regressing skin malignancies and suggests a similar process occurring in lung cancer. Regressing lung cancers are associated with a better prognosis than matched controls (P = 0.0034), some showed radiological evidence of growth retardation and the group had an excess of the large cell undifferentiated histological type.
Kerr
K M
KM
Department of Pathology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK.
Johnson
S K
SK
King
G
G
Kennedy
M M
MM
Weir
J
J
Jeffrey
R
R
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D015996:Survival Rate
D015703:Antigens, CD