ACTIVE T-ROSETTE-FORMING CELLS IN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD OF CANCER-PATIENTS

Abstract

A subpopulation of the thymus-dependent rosette forming lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of normal individuals and untreated patients with solid tumors or hematological cancers was studied. This subpopulation of the thymus dependent rosette forming cells (T-RFC), termed active T-RFC, may be relatively more immunocompetent than the total thymus-dependent population. The mean percentages and absolute numbers of active T-RFC of 40 healthy adult controls were 25.8 .+-. 4.3 and 626 .+-. 213, respectively. There was no difference in the percentage of active T-RFC between the controls (smokers and nonsmokers) and 102 untreated patients with solid (localized or metastasized) tumors, 4 patients with Hodgkin''s disease or 10 patients with non-Hodgkin''s lymphomas. The absolute number of active T-RFC was significantly less in cancer patients than in controls. Eight patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia had lower percentages but higher absolute numbers of active T-RFC, whereas 6 patients with multiple myeloma had higher percentages and lower absolute numbers than the controls. Following radiation therapy, 61 patients with solid tumors showed no difference in the percentage of active T-RFC, but the corresponding absolute numbers declined significantly. A good correlation was seen with patients having positive microbial skin test responses and normal percentage of active T-RFC. The significance of the percentages and absolute numbers of active T-RFC and their relationship to patient status are discussed.