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Increased proportion of suppressor/cytotoxic (OKT8 + ) cells in patients with Hodgkin's disease in long‐lasting remission
Author(s) -
Lauria Francesco,
Foa Roberto,
Gobbi Marco,
Camaschella Clara,
Lusso Paolo,
Raspadori Donatella,
Tura Sante
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19831015)52:8<1385::aid-cncr2820520808>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - medicine , cytotoxic t cell , disease , lymphocyte subsets , monoclonal antibody , radiation therapy , abnormality , chemotherapy , lymphocyte , gastroenterology , immunology , t cell , antibody , immune system , in vitro , biology , psychiatry , biochemistry
The distribution of T‐lymphocyte subsets in patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) at diagnosis and in those disease‐free off‐therapy for over 5 years, was assessed with OKT monoclonal antibodies. In patients at diagnosis, T‐cell subsets appeared substantially balanced with only a moderate reduction in the proportion and absolute number of OKT4 (helper/inducer) positive cells, suggesting that the lymphopenia, constantly associated with HD at diagnosis, is mainly due to a reduction in the helper/inducer T‐cell subpopulation. In patients off‐therapy, a reduced proportion, but normal absolute number, of OKT4 + cells was constantly accompanied by a significant increase in the proportion and absolute number of OKT8 + cells, compared with patients at diagnosis and normal controls (40% ± 11 versus 24% ± 7 and versus 23 ± 6, respectively). Consequently the OKT4/OKT8 ratio, normal or near normal in patients at diagnosis (1.70 versus 2.00), was significantly reduced in patients off‐therapy (0.78 versus 2.00, P < 0.001). These data suggest that in patients with HD at diagnosis, T‐cell subpopulations are substantially normal, while a significant abnormality was observed in patients with HD off‐therapy and potentially “cured.” Further investigations will better elucidate these findings probably related to the cytotoxic radiotherapy and chemotherapy.