Folliculotropic T cells in regressive basal cell carcinoma of skin.
The histologic features of regression may be found in some basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), and it is known that T-cell infiltrates have a significant role in host defense against this tumor. We examined 945 hair follicles (HFs) adjacent to 150 regressing BCCs of skin for the presence of inflammatory infiltrates and compared the results against 315 HFs in 50 samples of normal skin. Focal T-cell infiltrates localized mainly to the upper portion of the HFs were found in 14.5% of the follicles adjacent to regressing BCCs. A statistically significant increase of inflammation in HFs was observed in BCCs with active regression compared with BCCs with inactive and mixed regression (P < 0.05). An increase in the number of HFs involved by T lymphocytes was also found in regressing BCCs compared to normal skin ( P < 0.00005). These data suggest that the damage to the follicles is concordant with active regression of BCCs. We speculate that the immune-mediated regression of BCCs is not only specifically directed to the cells of the tumor but may also induce activated lymphocytes with cytotoxic capability to cross react with the follicular epithelium.
Lespi
P J
PJ
Department of Pathology, HIGA Dr José Penna, Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Gregorini
S D
SD
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
D015703:Antigens, CD