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