STUDY OF T-LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS AND INTERLEUKIN-2 IN GASTRIC CANCER

Abstract

Peripheral blood, regional lymphnode and spleen lymphocytes were measured by using different monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry in 20 patients with gastric cancer. The patients were divided in two groups, patients with stage I and II disease and patients with stage III and IV disease, according to the General Rules for Gastric Cancer Study, Japanese Research Society for Gastric Cancer. Such parameters as OKT3, OKT4, OKT8, OKM1, OKT4+ 2H4+, OKT4 + 2H4-, OKT8 + Leu15+ and OKT8 + Leu15- were used as monoclonal antibodies. NK activity, interleukin-2 production and interleukin-2 receptors were also measured.In peripheral blood lymphocytes, IL-2 production was significantly lower in the stage III and IV group, than in the stage I and II group. The percentages of OKT4, OKT4 + 2H4- and the OKT4/OKT8 ratio were lower in stage III and IV group than in stage I and II group. Among the regional lymphnodes in the stage I and II group, the percentages of OKT4 + 2H4- and the OKT4/OKT8 ratio were higher in proximal lymphnodes than in distal nodes. In stage III and IV group, the percentages of OKT3, OKT8 and OKT8 + Leu15- were lower and the OKT4/OKT8 ratio was higher in proximal lymphnodes than in distal nodes. These results suggest that helper T-cell activity in peripheral blood and the induction of killer T cells in regional lymphnodes decrease as gastric cancer progresses.