Studies concerning the regional lymph node in cancer. 3. Response of regional lymph node cells from breast and colon cancer patients to PHA stimulation.

Abstract

To obtain information regarding the immunologic capacity of regional lymph nodes (RLNs) in patients with cancer, investigations were performed utilizing lymph nodes and/or blood lymphocytes from 140 patients with operable breast or colon cancers, benign breast disease, or cardiac problems requiring open heart surgery. Cells of all regional lymph nodes (RLNCs) from breast cancer patients responded to PHA stimulation. The response of stimulated and non-stimulated RLNCs from patients with negative nodes was significantly greater than that of cells from women with positive nodes. The presence or absence of tumor in nodes from positive node patients had no effect on 3HT uptake by RLNCs from such nodes. In patients with breast cancer, regardless of nodal status, a significant variation in 3HT uptake was observed between cells derived from different RLNs within the same patient. A similar variability occurred between patients. Such findings were noted when RLNCs were cultured with or without PHA. There was no significant difference in uptake of 3HT by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from breast cancer patients and women with benign breast disease. When PBLs and RLNCs from the same breast cancer patients were exposed to undiluted PHA, the response of the former was significantly greater than that of the latter. While both types of cells were less stimulated by diluted PHA, the response by RLNCs was significantly greater. Results from colon cancer patients were similar to those from patients with breast cancer. Virtually all nodes responded to PHA stimulation and the 3HT uptake by RLNCs was greater when they came from negative rather than positive node patients. There was a variation in response of nodes to PHA in individual patients and between patients. Unlike findings with breast cancer, the response of RLNCs and PBLs from patients with colon cancer to undiluted PHA was not significantly different, but as with the former disease, RLNCs demonstrated a greater response to dilute PHA. RLNCs from patients with breast and colon cancer were stimulated by PHA to a greater degree than LNCs from patients undergoing open heart surgery. Whether this difference indicates that cells from patients with heart disease are less responsive, or that those from cancer patients are more so is uncertain. In conclusion, the present studies indicate that virtually all RLNs (with and without metastases) from patients with primary operable breast and colon cancers contain cells capable of responding to PHA stimulation. If, as is generally considered, such a response is indicative of lymphocyte immunocompetence, then RLNs continue to possess immunologic capabilities despite the presence of growing tumors.