Immunohistochemical study of the regional lymph nodes in gastric cancer

Immunohistochemical study with various monoclonal antibodies against the mononuclear cell surface antigen was performed on the regional lymph nodes of gastric cancer through Avidin-Biotin Complex (ABC) method. In the paracortical area (P.C.) of those lymph nodes without the metastasis of gastric cancer, T cells were dominant, and OKT3 positive (OKT3+) cells and OKT4+ cells were diffusely present, while OKT8+ cells were occasionally recognized. In the sinus, subsets of the above T cells, and OKT9+ cells and OKT10+ cells were observed. In the germinal center (G.C.), mantle zone (M.Z.) and primary follicle (P.F.), which were B cell regions, OKIa1+ cells and Leu12+ cells were diffusely present. OKB7+ cells, OKT9+ cells, OKT10+ cells and Leu7+ cells were also noted in G.C.. Leu8+ cells were observed in M.Z. and P.F.. OKIa1+ cells were occasionally noted in P.C. and sinus. In the lymph nodes with the metastasis, decrease of OKT4+ cells and increase of OKT8+ cells were noted in comparison to the lymph nodes without the metastasis. Using the tissue double fluorescence staining method, it was found that about half of the OKT4+ cells were helper T cells. The majority of OKT8+ cells were identified as cytotoxic T cells or their precursors. By preoperative endoscopic administration of OK-432 or PSK into the tumor, the IL-2 receptor+ cells, or OKM1+ cells and OKT4+ cells increased in the regional lymph nodes and the antitumor activity was intensified.