Analysis of Peripheral Blood T-lymphocyte Subsets in Patients with Gastric Cancer

Peripheral blood T-lymphcyte subsets defined by monoclonal antibodies (OKT-series; OKT3: pan T-cell, OKT4: inducer/helper T-cell, OKT8: suppressor/cytotoxic T-cell) were analysed in patients with gastric cancer.The results were as follows.(1) Percentages of OKT3+, OKT4+ and OKT8+ cells as well as the OKT4/OKT8 ratio showed no significant change according to the clinical stages.(2) In recurrent cases, proportion of OKT4+ cells was decreased and that of OKT8+ cells was increased, and the OKT4/OKT8 ratio was reduced, compared with cancer free patients after operation.(3) The OKT4/OKT8 ratio was not correlated with the percentages of IgGFcR+ T-cell (Tγ) and ConA/PHA ratio.(4) In patients with high proportion of Tγ and low OKT4/OKT8 ratio, the peripheral blood T-cell response to PHA was deminished.(5) The OKT4/OKT8 ratio was remarkably decreased after palliative operation.