T-LYMPHOCYTE AND B-LYMPHOCYTE SUB-POPULATIONS IN PRE-INVASIVE AND INVASIVE CARCINOMA OF CERVIX

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  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30  (3) , 421-428
Abstract
Lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with pre-invasive and invasive cervical carcinoma, other gynecological malignancies and controls were studied. T [thymus derived] lymphocytes were recognized by their ability to form spontaneous rosettes with sheep red blood cells (E rosettes). Two surface marker characteristics were used to detect B [bone marrow derived] lymphocytes: the receptors for activated complement [C] responsible for erythrocyte-antibody-complement (EAC) rosette formation, and surface membrane immunoglobulin (SMIg), which is readily stainable by immunofluorescence. There was a significant depression in T cells in association with invasive but not pre-invasive cervical carcinoma. The results for B cells varied according to the method used for their detection. EAC rosette-forming cells (EAC-RFC) were significantly raised in patients with invasive cancers but not in patients with pre-invasive cancer. SMIg-bearing cells were not significantly altered by the presence of malignant disease. The changes in E-RFC and EAC-RFC numbers were more marked in patients with extensive cancers. Possible functional implications of these findings are discussed.