Cell-mediated immune status in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

Abstract

Sixteen untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were tested for in vitro immune status in comparison with the normal healthy donors. The parameters investigated were total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts, percentages and absolute counts of T- and B-cells in circulation, subsets of T-cells identified by the Fc receptors, phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) responses, natural killer (NK) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activities, and circulating immune complexes (CICs). Eight of these patients were retested 3 to 6 months after surgery. The results showed that there was an increase in leukocyte and lymphocyte counts, an increase in the percentage and absolute number of B-lymphocytes, an increase in the percentage of T-gamma cells, suboptimal PHA and MLC responses, normal NK and ADCC activities, and increased levels of CICs in untreated oral cancer patients. In the postoperative stage, except for a reduction in leukocyte and lymphocyte counts, other abnormalities remained unchanged. The CICs in treated patients correlated with the tumor load in that in three patients showing recurrence, the CIC level remained elevated, whereas in patients without evidence of the disease the CIC level was either low or comparable to the upper normal limits.

Increased percentage of B cells in patients with more advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

“…However, to our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating that B lymphocytes correlate with the degree of HCC. An increased B-lymphocyte population in patients with malignant diseases had been shown in breast cancer [28], premalignant lesions of the oral cavity [29], and oral cancer [30]. B cells recognize native antigens without processing.…”

Changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes distribution in patients with oral cancer/oral leukoplakia in Taiwan

“…An evident increase in the cytogenetic damage of lymphocytes isolated from patients with oral cancer is reported. Patients with oral cancer have higher leukocyte and lymphocyte counts, B lymphocyte number and circulating immune complexes than healthy people 37 . A reduction in total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts is seen in PMOD and oral cancer 33 .…”

Immunology of premalignant and malignant conditions of the oral cavity. II. Circulating immune complexes

“…Elevated levels of CIC have also been reported earlier in oral cancer (submitted) and oral keratosis (7). Many aspects of cell-mediated immune responses are impaired in patients with head and neck cancer (5,10). An imbalance in T cell subpopulations in oral cancer and premalignant lesions ofthe oral cavity have been reported by us earlier (11).…”