T‐cell markers in tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes of head and neck cancer

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Abstract
Fresh suspensions of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from 16 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) were examined for T‐cell markers including CD4 (helper‐inducer), CDS (cytotoxic‐suppressor), natural killer (NK) cell, and activation surface markers using monoclonal antibodies and two‐color flow cytometry. Two of 8 (25%) patients with a CD4/CD8 ratio of less than 1 developed cervical lymph node metastases; none had extracapsular spread. Six of 8 (75%) patients with a CD4/CD8 ratio of greater than 1 developed cervical metastases; 5 of 6 (83%) exhibited extracapsular spread. An increased CD4/CD8 ratio was attributable to a decrease in CD8+cells. A CD4/CD8 ratio of greater than 1 may be a useful prognostic indicator of the development of cervical metastases.