鼻咽癌患者外周血CD4+CD25high调节性T细胞分析

目的:探讨鼻咽癌患者外周血CD4 CD25h igh调节性T(Tr)细胞比例变化的特点及其临床意义。方法:采用流式细胞术检测54例初治鼻咽癌患者(鼻咽癌组)和15例健康者(对照组)外周血中CD3 、CD4 、CD8 及CD4 CD25h ighT细胞比例。结果:鼻咽癌患者CD4 T细胞比例、CD4 /CD8 比值均低于对照组(均P<0.05),但CD4 CD25h ighTr细胞比例明显高于对照组(P<0.01)。随疾病进展鼻咽癌患者外周血CD4 CD25h ighTr细胞比例升高[Ⅰ Ⅱ期为(2.28±1.07)%,Ⅲ期为(3.65±1.21)%,Ⅳ期为(4.72±0.87)%],Ⅰ Ⅱ期与Ⅲ、Ⅳ期比较,均P<0.01;Ⅲ期与Ⅳ期比较,P<0.01。结论:CD4 CD25h ighTr细胞可能是鼻咽癌患者免疫抑制的重要原因之一,与鼻咽癌免疫逃逸有关。外周血CD4 CD25h ighTr细胞比例可能成为鼻咽癌一种新的预后判断指标,去除这群细胞可有效诱导肿瘤免疫,为肿瘤治疗提供一种新的方法。     

Definite vs adjuvant radiotherapy. Comparative effects on lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with head and neck squamous carcinoma

The recent association of alterations in T-lymphocyte subpopulations and impaired cellular immunity prompted an investigation of the effects of radiotherapy (RT) on serial levels of lymphocyte subsets in 30 patients with head and neck squamous carcinoma. Percentage and absolute levels of T3, T4, T6, T8, T10, T11, and Leu 7 cells were measured before, during, and after RT at monthly intervals for six months and compared with levels in 40 normal subjects. Sixteen patients received curative and 14 postoperative adjuvant RT. Before treatment, mean subset levels were similar among the patient and normal groups except for elevated Leu 7 (natural killer) cells in patients with stage I and II disease. There were profound decreases in absolute levels of each subpopulation during and after RT. The percentage of T4 (helper/inducer) cells decreased, whereas that of T8 (cytotoxic/suppressor) and Leu 7 cells tended to increase. Compared with normal values, the mean T4/T8 ratio decreased significantly by six months after RT, when absolute levels of the subsets had rebounded to pretreatment levels in the definitive RT group but remained profoundly decreased in the adjuvant group. The differing recovery patterns suggest that factors other than RT may contribute to persistent immunosuppression following RT.     

Observations on immunologic parameters in laryngeal cancer patients

Patients with laryngeal cancer were examined immunologically before treatment and for 1-10 years after treatment. In the pretreatment group, the percentage of T cells, lymphocyte blastoid reaction (PHA, concanavalin A), and skin reactions (PHA) were generally in the normal range, but absolute numbers of T cells and lymphocytes were reduced in most patients. In the group with no recurrence after surgery, the absolute number of T cells and lymphocytes, IgG X FcR+T cells (T gamma), and skin reactions was normal in many cases. The group with recurrence showed reduced percentage of T cells and an absolute number of T cells and lymphocytes. The absolute number of T cells and lymphocytes and the PPD skin reaction increased after surgery in some cases, but reductions in some of the parameters were noted in a few cases long after surgery. Radiation therapy for patients with tumors at early stages did not significantly change the percentage of T cells or the skin reactions.     

鼻咽癌患者外周血淋巴细胞的金属元素与T细胞亚群的研究

目的 :探讨鼻咽癌患者外周血淋巴细胞金属元素和T细胞亚群含量的变化及其与机体免疫功能的关系。方法 :采用日本岛津AA 6 70型原子吸收光谱仪火焰法测定鼻咽癌组和正常对照组外周血淋巴细胞金属元素的含量 ,流式细胞仪测定T细胞亚群。结果 :鼻咽癌组淋巴细胞铜含量显著高于正常对照组 (P <0 .0 1) ,锌含量低于正常对照组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;鼻咽癌组CD3 、CD4细胞和CD4/CD8比值明显低于正常对照组 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :鼻咽癌患者外周血淋巴细胞铜含量增高时 ,CD4细胞数量减少 ,表明CD4细胞的克隆发育功能受到影响 ,从而揭示鼻咽癌患者外周血淋巴细胞铜含量的变化与T细胞亚群变化的关系     

Lymphocytopenia in children with lymphatic malformation

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an immunologic abnormality exists in patients with lymphatic malformation (LM). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary care pediatric hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-one consecutive patients (11 male and 10 female) undergoing LM treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Clinical data (ie, age, clinical LM stage, radiographic appearance, and histologic findings) were correlated with complete blood cell count and detailed lymphocyte differential. Complete blood cell counts and lymphocyte subsets were measured in 21 and 18 patients, respectively. RESULTS: The average age at the time of testing was 67 months (range, 1-231 months). The patients were categorized according to LM stage, including 4 (19%) with stage 1, 4 (19%) with stage 2, 4 (19%) with stage 3, 7 (33%) with stage 4, and 2 (10%) with stage 5 disease. Radiographic LM appearance was macrocystic in 6 patients (29%), mixed macrocystic and microcystic in 8 (38%), and microcystic in 7 (33%). Complete blood cell count data demonstrated lymphocytopenia in 6 patients (29%). The results of the lymphocyte subset tests showed concomitant T-, B-, and natural killer (NK)-cell deficiency in 6 (33%) of 18 patients. All 6 patients with T-cell lymphocytopenia had normal neutrophil and platelet counts. Spearman rank and chi(2) analyses showed that LM stage 4 or 5 and microcystic LM were significantly associated with lymphocytopenia (P = .002 and P = .008, respectively). Histologic analysis did not demonstrate increased lymphocytes in any LM specimens. CONCLUSION: We found T, B, and NK lymphocytopenia in patients with large bilateral or microcystic LM. Although the relationship between lymphocytopenia and infection was not addressed in this study, the recognition of lymphocytopenia in patients with LM may have important clinical and prognostic implications.     

Immunologic parameters in patients with thyroid cancer

We evaluated various immunologic parameters in patients with papillary and follicular carcinomas of the thyroid gland. Our studies included examinations of peripheral blood lymphocytes and skin reactions to selected antigens. Preoperative peripheral blood tests were found to be normal except for an elevated percentage of IgG X Fc+ T-cells (T gamma). Skin reactions (phytohemagglutinin, purified protein derivative) were greater preoperatively than postoperatively. In postoperative cases without tumor recurrence, absolute numbers of T-cells and lymphocytes were reduced. OK-432 is a biologic response modifier of a streptococcal preparation and was used as immunotherapy in postoperative patients. This therapy seemed to augment the absolute numbers of T-cells and lymphocytes as well as purified protein derivative skin reactions in the patients without tumor recurrences. In the patients with postoperative tumor recurrences, there was an abnormal reduction in the percentage of T-cells and in the absolute numbers of T-cells and lymphocytes. OK-432 treatment was not significantly effective in normalizing this reduction.     

PKC-NF-kB信号传导系统对变应性鼻炎Th2细胞因子IL-4及IL-5表达的调控

目的：探讨PKC—NF—kB信号传导系统在调节变应性鼻炎（AR）T淋巴细胞的活化及IL-4、IL-5表达及其在发病过程中的作用。方法：24例急性发作期AR患者和24例健康成人为研究对象，分别从每位受试者的外周血中分离出T淋巴细胞并分成3组进行培养；第1组为空白对照（正常空白对照组及AR空白对照组）；第2组加入终浓度为20nmol／L的PKC激动剂12-肉豆蔻酰-13-乙酸佛波酯（PMA）（加PMA正常组及加PMAAR组）；第3组同时应用PKC激动剂PMA和终浓度为100μmol／L的NF-kB抑制剂二硫代氨基甲酸吡咯烷（PDTC）（加PMA和PDTC正常组及加PMA和PDTCAR组）。将培养的T淋巴细胞涂片，用免疫组织化学染色方法检测NF—kB的表达，用酶联免疫吸附（ELISA）法检测上清液中的IL-4及IL-5含量。结果：加PMAAR组T淋巴细胞NF-kB活化细胞百分比、培养上清液中的IL-4、IL-5与正常空白对照组及AR空白对照组比较，差异有统计学意义（均P〈0．01）；与加PMA正常组及加PMA和PDTC正常组T淋巴细胞比较，差异有统计学意义（均P〈0．01）；与加PMA和PDTCAR组T淋巴细胞比较，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。同时，加PMA和PDTCAR组T淋巴细胞NF—kB活化细胞百分比、培养上清液中的IL-4、IL-5与加PMAAR组、AR空白对照组、正常空白对照、加入PMA正常组、加入PMA和PDTC正常组比较，差异有统计学意义（均P〈0．01）。T淋巴细胞NF—kB活化细胞的百分比与培养上清中IL-后使IL-4和IL-5的表达增加的生物信号能通过激活NF—kB来实现，T淋巴细胞的PKC—NF-kB信号传导系统可能是变应性鼻炎发病机制中的重要环节之一。     

Lymphocyte subpopulations in middle ear effusions: flow cytometry analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify lymphocyte subpopulations in middle ear effusions, peripheral blood, and adenoids in children suffering from otitis media with effusion. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Thirty-three children (55 ears) undergoing myringotomy for otitis media with effusion. METHODS: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and natural killer cell populations were investigated in middle ear effusion, peripheral blood, and adenoids using a three-color monoclonal antibody and flow cytometry method for quantitative estimation. RESULTS: T cells (CD3) are dominating lymphocytes in middle ear effusion. Among T lymphocytes, the majority are those of the helper type (CD4). The dominating isoform among CD4 lymphocytes are memory cells (CD4CD45RO); among CD8 lymphocytes, naive cells (CD8CD45RA). The percentage of CD4 cells, CD8 cells, and the CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly higher in middle ear effusions than in blood. The percentage of memory CD4 lymphocytes and naive CD8 lymphocytes was significantly lower in the middle ear effusion. Lymphocyte subsets were compared between 22 pairs of effusions from each patient. The percentage of each type of cell did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate local regulation of the lymphocyte profile in middle ear effusions and the same phase of immune response in two ears of the same patient.     

Alterations in T-lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with head and neck cancer. Correlations with prognosis

Impaired cell-mediated immunity has been consistently demonstrated in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cancer (HNSC); however, the results of prior studies of correlations of cellular immune parameters with treatment outcome have been inconsistent, and routine assessment of immune parameters has been of limited clinical use. To determine the prognostic importance of alterations in the proportions of various T-lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of patients with HNSC, levels of T3, T4, T6, T8, T9, T10, T11, and Leu 7 cells were quantitated by flow cytometry in 80 previously untreated patients and prospectively correlated with tumor characteristics and clinical course (median length of follow-up, 27 months). The mean helper/suppressor cell ratio (T4/T8) increased progressively with increasing tumor stage and was significantly elevated among patients with cancer as a group and in patients with advanced (stage III or IV) disease compared with 40 normal subjects. Decreased disease-free survival was significantly associated with elevated T4/T8 ratios and low percent T8 and T11 cell levels. The prognostic significance of percent T8 (cytotoxic/suppressor) cell levels persisted even after adjusting for known prognostic factors of tumor stage, T class, N class, and tumor site. These correlations provide new insight into immune alterations in HNSC that may prove useful in identifying patients with early clinical disease who have a poor prognosis.     

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) responsiveness in patients with head and neck cancer in relation to tumour stage and prognosis.

We have previously shown an increased T lymphocyte and monocyte responsiveness in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) compared with PBMC from control patients. This study reports T lymphocyte function of PBMC of 81 patients with HNSCC dependent on disease stage and prognosis. Males with HNSCC under 80 years of age without cachexia, with no auto-immune disease or previous cancer and on no immuno-active medication were included at the time of diagnosis of disease. The follow-up was for at least 18 months. When cells from patients with early vs late stage disease according to the T, N or T + N stage of HNSCC were compared, decreased in vitro mitogen-stimulated and spontaneous T cell proliferation was seen with increasing tumour stage. When patients were studied according to disease-specific survival, a decreased T lymphocyte mitogen-stimulated proliferation was observed to be associated with a poorer prognosis. No changes in prognosis were noticed related to decreased gamma-IFN, IL-2 or IL-4 level of the supernatants of the T lymphocyte-stimulated PBMC in vitro cultures. With stratification for disease stage, we determined that PBMC in vitro T lymphocyte-stimulated proliferation predicted outcome for the HNSCC patients. The results were similar for both laryngeal and oral cavity/pharyngeal cancers. The present investigation provides evidence to support the idea that the relationship between HNSCC and the immune system of the host may provide clinically useful information about prognosis.     

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) Responsiveness in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer in Relation to Tumour Stage and Prognosis

We have previously shown an increased T lymphocyte and monocyte responsiveness in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) compared with PBMC from control patients. This study reports T lymphocyte function of PBMC of 81 patients with HNSCC dependent on disease stage and prognosis. Males with HNSCC under 80 years of age without cachexia, with no auto-immune disease or previous cancer and on no immuno-active medication were included at the time of diagnosis of disease. The follow-up was for at least 18 months. When cells from patients with early vs late stage disease according to the T, N or T+N stage of HNSCC were compared, decreased     

T-cell subsets and natural killer cell function with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Twenty-two patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were studied to assess potential abnormalities in total T lymphocytes, T4/T8 ratios, and natural killer cell function. Total T-cell counts were reduced for the entire group with the greatest reduction occurring in individuals with hypopharyngeal tumors and/or stage IV disease. Helper to suppressor ratios were within the norm for the total group, but specific site variances were detected in patients with oral cavity and hypopharyngeal primary carcinomas. Similarly altered T4/T8 ratios were noted with stage III disease. Substantive differences in natural killer cell activity were not observed. These data suggest that perturbations in T-lymphocyte subsets can be associated with decreased survival.     

Prognostic value of pre-operative peripheral inflammation markers in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal

IntroductionSquamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal is a rare entity. Previous studies have suggested predictors for tumor recurrence. However, most of the prognostic factors were from the clinicopathological aspect.ObjectiveThis study aims to analyze the correlation between pre-operative peripheral inflammation markers and survival outcomes, in order to identify prognostic biomarkers for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal who underwent surgery at our institute. The pre-operative circulating inflammatory markers, such as the neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, and monocyte counts were measured and their ratios including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio were calculated. The prognostic value of the measured hematologic parameters in relation to the survival outcomes was also evaluated.ResultsA total of 83 patients were included, of which 26 patients showed tumor recurrence and 57 without recurrence. Neutrophil counts and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were closely connected with tumor stage. In the patients with recurrence, neutrophil counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio were elevated (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.001), while lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio were decreased (p = 0.013 and p = 0.016, respectively). The receiver operating curve analysis indicated that pre-operative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a potential prognostic marker for recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal (area under curve = 0.816), and the cut-off points was 2.325.ConclusionsPre-operative neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte are significantly correlated with tumor recurrence in patients with external auditory canal squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may be unfavorable prognostic factors of this disease.     

THE RELATIONSHIP OF CIRCULATING IgA TO CELLULAR IMMUNITY IN HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS

The relationship of circulating IgA titers and multiple parameters of cell-mediated immunity was examined in 97 patients with head and neck cancer. In 26% of the patients, IgA titers were above one standard deviation of controls, with highest levels noted in patients with advanced disease. In 40 patients for whom multiple immune parameters were tested in vitro, increasing concentrations of IgA were associated with an enhanced immunologic helper state defined by a generalized hypergammaglobulinemia, increased percentage of T4+ lymphocytes, higher T4/T8 ratio, and an increased lymphocyte blastogenesis response to mitogens. IgA concentrations were inversely related to percentages and absolute number of Leu 11+ natural killer cell subsets, and also to disease-free survival (p < 0.005 by Cox proportional hazards model). The immune correlations identified here are similar to those noted in many autoimmune diseases. Head and neck cancer patients are an immunologically heterogeneous population, among whom elevated IgA blood levels may reflect the autoimmune nature of cancer, an immunologic state defined by its tumor-promoting capacity.     

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. A review of 176 cases with application of malignancy grading and DNA measurements

This retrospective study comprised 176 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity treated at The Link?ping University Hospital over a 19-year period. Clinical parameters, microscopic malignancy grading (according to Jakobsson et al. and Glanz and Eichhorn), DNA cytofluorometry, analysis of therapeutic modalities and statistics regarding survival and prognosis are reported. The mean age was 70 years with a male: female ratio of 1.3:1 One hundred and four patients had T1 or T2 tumours and 109 an N0 neck. Cervical lymph node metastases were more frequent in patients with larger tumours (T3 + T4) than in those with smaller (T1 + T2) (P less than 0.01), in tumours with a high malignancy grading compared to those with a low (P less than 0.05) and in DNA non-diploid tumours compared to diploid ones (P less than 0.001). The aneuploid tumours responded better to preoperative radiotherapy than did diploid (P less than 0.01) or polyploid (P less than 0.05) tumours. Eighty-nine per cent of the recurrences occurred within 1 year of initial therapy. Secondary treatment was successful in 15 of 37 (41%) patients in whom the tumour recurred either at the primary site or in regional lymph nodes, but only in 1 of 8 (12%) with recurrences in both locations. Surgery alone or combined with radiotherapy resulted in equivalent survival rates for tumours in stages I and II. In advanced stages combined radiotherapy and surgery gave better survival figures than either modality alone (P less than 0.01; Kaplan-Meier). The presence of lymph node metastases (P less than 0.001), tumour size (P less than 0.01) and tumour ploidy (P less than 0.005) were the only clinical and histological parameters that significantly influenced survival (Cox regression analysis). Twenty-four patients developed a secondary primary malignancy; 21 of these were located in the aerodigestive tract.     

慢性鼻-鼻窦炎组织学中嗜酸细胞和鼻窦CT结果的相关性研究

目的　分析慢性鼻-鼻窦炎（CRS）患者组织中嗜酸细胞（eosinophils,Eos）与鼻窦CT结果的相关性。方法  通过分析2013年1月～2015年6月就诊于温州医科大学附属第一医院的355例CRS患者的临床资料,对所有病例进行Friedman分期和Lund-Mackay评分以及病理组织学中Eos计数,将结果分为嗜酸细胞性CRS（eosinophilic CRS,ECRS）组与非嗜酸细胞性CRS（non-eosinophilic CRS,NECRS）组,对两组各分期的CT评分结果进行比较分析,从而判断两组的CT表现是否存在差异,并探讨分析CT评分结果和组织中Eos计数与Eos百分比（Eos%）的相关性。结果　ECRS与NECRS在CT总评分上有显著性差异（Z =1.674,P <0.01）,但在T1、T2、T3、T4不同分期中的CT评分均没有统计学差异（Z =1.011、0.892、0.612、0.280,P 均>0.01）。并且CT评分与组织中Eos计数及Eos%呈正相关（r 分别为0.216、0.223,P 均<0.01）。结论　①组织中的Eos浸润是引起CRS患者CT表现总体差异的原因,但这个差异并不表现在各个分期中;②Eos计数或Eos%越多,CRS患者的CT评分越高,即CT图像表现的越严重。     

淋巴细胞在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎组织中的表达及意义

目的：探讨B淋巴细胞（CD20）和T淋巴细胞亚群（CD4、CD8）在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎（CRs）中的表达及在炎症反应中的作用。方法：采用免疫组织化学技术检测B淋巴细胞（CD20）和辅助性T细胞（CD4）、细胞毒性T细胞（CD8）在实验组[分为15例CRS不伴鼻息肉（CRSsNP）组、12例CRS伴鼻息肉（CRSwNP）组、7例复发性CRSwNP组]和对照组（13例下鼻甲黏膜对照）中的表达。采用Mann-WhitneyU检验分析实验组和对照组B淋巴细胞、T淋巴细胞亚群的表达情况,实验组组间淋巴细胞浸润比较用单因素方差分析One—WayANOVA。结果：与对照组相比,实验组有明届的13淋巴细胞（CD20）和T淋巴细胞亚群（CD4、CD8）浸润（P〈0．05）：T淋巴细胞、亚群（CD4、CD8）在CRSwNP组和复发性CRSwNP组病变中的表达明显高于CRSsNP组（P〈0．05）;CD4在复发性CRSwNP组中的表达明显高于CRSwNP和CRSsNP组（P〈0．01）。结论：实验组鼻腔黏膜中B淋巴细胞、辅助性T细胞和细胞毒性T细胞高表达,均参与炎症的形成,其炎症匣应与T淋巴细胞浸润密切相关。     

慢性扁桃体炎患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群测定

目的：探讨慢性扁桃体炎患者免疫状态。方法：对６０例慢性扁桃体炎患者进行外周血Ｔ淋巴细胞亚群测定。结果：慢性扁桃体炎患者的ＣＤ４,ＣＤ４／ＣＤ８较正常对照组降低（Ｐ〈０．０１）。结论：慢性扁桃体炎患者细胞免疫功能受抑制,免疫系统失衡。     

The surface structure of peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with laryngeal carcinoma evaluated by scanning electron microscopy

Using the scanning electron microscopic technique the surface structure of the peripheral blood lymphocytes has been studied in 20 men aged 46 to 62 years with the laryngeal carcinoma diagnosed clinically and histopathologically. The control group consisted of 20 healthy men aged 39 to 58 years. According to the international classification 15 of 20 patients studied showed the T3N0M0 stage of the disease and other five the T4N0M0 stage respectively. The peripheral blood lymphocytes of the patients showed significantly greater variability of the surface structure as compared with the controls. The characteristic pattern of the lymphocytes in patients with cancer of the larynx was quantitative increase in numbers of lymphocytes having smooth surface deprived of microvilli and significant decrease of cells exhibiting numerous surface microvilli; these cells may correspond to the T and the B cell series, respectively. Moreover, the patients showed significant, approximately threefold increase in number of lymphocytes having the intermediate surface morphology between above mentioned two basic lymphocyte topographical types. According to the authors opinion above differences between the lymphocytes of patients with cancer of the larynx and those from healthy subjects are associated with the antitumor response of the lymphocytes.     

Functional and phenotypic analysis of lymphocytes in head and neck cancer.

We compared the phenotype and antitumor effector function of lymphocytes obtained from tumor tissues, lymph nodes, and the peripheral blood of patients with head and neck cancer. Freshly isolated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were deficient in CD4+ T cells in comparison with lymph node lymphocytes (LNL) and peripheral blood lymphocytes. A significantly higher CD4/CD8 ratio observed in LNL vs tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes was attributable to both a significant enrichment in CD4+ T cells as well as a decrease in CD8+ T cells. The percentage of natural killer cells (CD3-CD56+) was uniformly low in both tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and LNL. In patients with cervical metastases, LNL contained an increased proportion of CD16+ cells. Tumor-involved lymph nodes were not enriched in the CD8+C11b+ subset of T "suppressor" lymphocytes compared with uninvolved lymph nodes. Also, tumor-involved lymph nodes had significantly fewer CD4+ T cells than did uninvolved lymph nodes. In comparison with peripheral blood lymphocytes, freshly isolated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and LNL were depleted of cytotoxic effector cells, as indicated by low or absent cytotoxic activity against tumor cell targets. The ability to generate lymphokine-activated killer cells was significantly reduced in LNL in comparison with peripheral blood lymphocytes. In patients with head and neck cancer, depressed local and regional antitumor responses are associated with a deficiency of functional cytotoxic effector cells rather than an increase in suppressor T lymphocytes.