T-lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of patients with bone tumors

Peripheral blood T-cell subsets of 54 patients with malignant or benign bone and soft tissue tumors and 20 age-and sex-matched normal controls were studied by using monoclonal antibodies. T-cell subsets were also studied before and after operation in ten patients with osteosarcoma. The number of T cells (OKT 11) and OKT 4 cells significantly decreased in malignant bone and soft tissue tumors. The number of OKT 8 cells increased. Statistically significant decrease in the T4/T8 ratio and the number of macrophage were also found in malignant bone and soft tissue tumors. In giant cell tumor of bone, the number of T cells and OKT 4 cells were also statistically decreased. But, the number of OKT 8 cells and macrophage remained unchanged. The ratio of T 4/T 8 was nearly normal. There was no difference in T cell subsets between benign bone tumors and normal controls. In malignant bone tumors, the number of T cells and T 4/T 8 ratio in some degree may be as a predictor for prognosis.