Lymphocyte subsets, lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens, NK cell activity and neutrophil and monocyte phagocytic functions in patients with bladder carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Assessment of immunocompetence in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) patients.


METHODS
In 34 untreated patients with bladder TCC, lymphocyte subsets were measured together with lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens, NK cell activity and neutrophil and monocyte phagocytic functions. The data obtained were correlated with both the tumor spread and the grade.


RESULTS
In patients with superficial carcinoma, the proportion of CD4+ cells, the reactivity of lymphocytes to mitogens and NK cell activity was significantly lower than in controls. In patients with invasive disease, the CD4/CD8 ratio, lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens and NK cell activity was significantly diminished when compared with the controls and with patients with superficial carcinoma. Neutrophil and monocyte killing was significantly lower than in controls. Patients with high-grade tumors had a significantly lower CD4/CD8 ratio and lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens than patients with low-grade tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate gross immunological abnormalities in TCC patients which correlate with stage and grade of tumor.
Urology Department, University Hospital Center, 12 Kispaticeva St., 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia. urology@mef.hr
Zeljko
Z
Kastelan
Josip
J
Lukac
Danijel
D
Derezić
Josip
J
Pasini
Zvonko
Z
Kusić
Hrvoje
H
Sosić
Maja
M
Kastelan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*
D008934:Mitogens