title: [Analysis of serum T-lymphocyte subsets and NK cell activity in patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  T-lymphocyte subsets and NK cell are the major forms of cellular immunity. Study of these 2 types of cells may lead to the better understanding of the function of cellular immunity in the onset and development of carcinoma. To a certain degree, there may be cellular immunodeficiency existing in patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. This study was to investigate the cellular immunity function in these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  T-lymphocyte subsets and NK activity were determined by flow cytometry in 78 patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Blood samples of 20 non-tumor patients were used as control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of CD4 lymphocyte subsets, CD4/CD8 ratio, and NK activity were lower in carcinoma group than in control group, but CD8 lymphocyte level was higher in carcinoma group. The levels of CD4 lymphocyte subsets, CD4/CD8 ratio, and NK activity were lower in T3-4 group than in T1-2 group, and lower in N+ group than in N0 group. The levels of CD4 lymphocyte subsets and CD4/CD8 ratio were decreased in the carcinoma with moderate or low differentiation (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  T-lymphocyte subsets and NK activity are inhibited, and the cellular immunology is suppressed in the patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Analyzing T-lymphocyte subsets and NK activity would be helpful to evaluate the cellular immunologic condition of these patients.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510060, P. R. China. chenwenkuan@163.com
authors.forename: Wen-Kuan
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Fu-Jin
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhu-Ming
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Li-Rong
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Su-Li
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged