LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN PERIPHERAL BLOOD OF PATIENTS WITH GASTRIC CANCER

Abstract

In 228 patients comprising of 11 with benign gastric disease, 200 with primary carcinoma, and 17 with recurred carcinoma, lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood, PHA induced lymphoblastogenesis, and serum IAP (immunosuppressive acidic protein) level were investigated preoperatively.The lymphocyte subsets were analyzed with monoclonal antibodies (OKT3, OKIa1, OKT4, Leu3, Leu8, OKT8, Leu2, Leu15, Leu7, Leu11, IL-2R), and the percentage and number of each subset were compared for clinicopathological factors such as stage, H, P, ps, and n.With single color flow cytometry, there was no significant difference in the percentage of each lymphocyte subset among the clinicopathological factors. Lymphocyte counts, however, significantly decreased in the patients with advanced cancer compared with those with relative early cancer. With two color flow cytometry for functional T cell analysis, the percentages of cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells in patients with gastric cancer were lower than those in benign disease patients, and the percentage of suppressor inducer T cell in those with cancer was higher, without significant difference. Lowered PHA induced lymphoblastogenesis was noted in an advanced stage compared to that in an early stage. On the contrary serum IAP was higher in an advanced stage, a negative correlation between PHA induced lymphoblastogenesis and serum IAP being demonstrated.