Abnormal Spontaneous Rosette Formation and Rosette Inhibition in Lung Carcinoma

Abstract

Nonimmune rosette formation and rosette inhibition by antilymphocyte globulin were used to evaluate the T-cell subpopulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in 29 patients with lung carcinoma, 24 patients with nonmalignant pulmonary diseases, and 12 normal controls. The mean levels of rosette-forming cells were 34.4 ± 10.2 per cent (± S.D.) for the carcinoma group, 51.7 ± 6.7 for the pulmonary group, and 54.0 ± 4.9 for controls. The titer of antilymphocyte globulin causing 25 per cent rosette inhibition was greater than 1:12,800 for the carcinoma group, 1:3900 for the pulmonary group, and 1:3600 for the controls.