Active E rosette-forming cells in the peripheral blood of cancer patients

Abstract

The percentage and the absolute number of cells forming active and total E rosettes were determined in 107 patients with tumors of the lung or esophagus or glioblastomas. Although both the active and total E rosette forming cell subpopulations of T lymphocytes were decreased in cancer patients, the percentage of reduction of the active rosettes was more pronounced and paralleled the depression of other parameters of T-dependent immunity. Therefore, evaluation of the active T cell subpopulation may provide a rapid and useful test in monitoring the immune function of patients affected with neoplasias.