title: [Analysis of serum T-lymphocyte subsets and NK cell activity in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of pharynx and larynx].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the alteration of T-lymphocyte subsets and NK activity in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of pharynx and larynx.
  
  
  METHODS
  T-lymphocyte subsets and NK activity were determined by flow cytometry in 123 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of pharynx and larynx. Blood samples of 36 nontumor patients were used as control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total T lymphocytes were lower in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of pharynx and larynx than control group significantly (P < 0.05). The levels of helper lymphocyte subsets were little lower than those in control group(P > 0.05). On the other hand, the levels of suppressor lymphocytes in patients were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Therefore, the CD4/CD8 ratios in patients were lower than those of the control group statistically (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in activated T lymphocytes and total B lymphocytes (P > 0.05), but NK activity in patients were lower than those in control group significantly (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in total T lymphocytes between stage I-II and stage III--IV (P > 0.05). The levels of helper lymphocyte subsets in stage I-II patients were little higher than in stage III-IV patients (P > 0.05), but the levels of suppressor lymphocytes in stage I-II patients were lower than in stage III-IV patients (P < 0.01). The CD4/CD8 ratios in stage I-II patients were significantly higher than in stage III-IV patients (P < 0.01). The levels of total B lymphocytes in stage I-II patients were significantly higher than in stage III-IV patients (P < 0.05). The activated T lymphocytes and NK activity did not changed statistically (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The immune function in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of pharynx and larynx is disordered and lower. With advanced stage disease, not only the cellular immune function in patients decrease gradually, but also the humoral immunity is lower. Analyzing T-lymphocyte subsets and NK activity determined by flow cytometry would be easy and helpful to evaluate the immunologic condition of every patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, 250117, China. wjchen2003@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Wanjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xingwu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Rongjie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*