[Long-term changes in peripheral blood leukocyte and lymphocyte populations in ENT-carcinoma patients. A flow cytometric study in 346 ENT-carcinoma patients and 31 healthy controls].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this investigation was the quantification of leukocyte/lymphocyte populations in the peripheral blood of ENT-carcinoma patients before and long after therapy. PROBANDS AND METHOD: PBL T-lymphocytes and NK-cells were examined in 346 patients and 31 controls using flow cytometry. In 248 participants additional populations of leukocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, lymphocytes in toto, CD4+- and CD8+-lymphocytes, CD4+8+-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, activated T-lymphocytes, NK-cells and CD3+56+-T-lymphocytes were studied.


RESULTS
We demonstrated a long-term reduction in T-lymphocytes (CD4+-lymphocytes) in patients more than 10 years after receiving therapy, caused mainly, but not solely, by radio/chemotherapy. We also showed a long-term, significant increase in NK-cells after more than 10 years in patients following therapy without renewed carcinoma in comparison to controls, patients prior to therapy or patients with a recurrence of carcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to long-term deficits in CD4+-lymphocytes, and considering the possible protective effect of NK-cells in treated patients, an immune-supportive therapy is recommended.
Ostwald
J
J
HNO-Klinik und Poliklinik "Otto Körner" der Universität Rostock. juergen.ostwald@med.uni-rostock.de
Dommerich
S
S
Schulz
U
U
Kramp
B
B
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D012016:Reference Values; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology