[Analysis of serum T-lymphocyte subsets and NK cell activity in patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma].
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.
Chen
Wen-Kuan
WK
State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510060, P. R. China. chenwenkuan@163.com
Song
Ming
M
Chen
Fu-Jin
FJ
Guo
Zhu-Ming
ZM
He
Li-Rong
LR
Yan
Su-Li
SL
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