T-lymphocytes phenotype and functions in patients with head and neck cancer†

We studied the phenotype of T-lymphocytes isolated from 18 patients with head and neck cancer, their capacity to express Ia antigens upon activation by lectin in vitro, their capacity to function either as responder or stimulator cells in autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction, and thier capacity to cooperate with the normal adherent suppressor cells (NASC). The T-lymphocytes isolated from these patients have several functional defects including an impaired capacity to activate allogeneic lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLRs), a lack of a proliferative capacity in autologous MLRs, an impaired sensitivity to inhibition by NASC, and an impaired capacity to express Ia antigens upon activation by mitogens in vitro. These data indicate that, in patients with head and neck cancer, immune function is characterized by a defect in T-lymphocytes functions which concerns the process of cell to cell cooperation.