Observation of systemic immunity is considered to be useful in the evaluation of the treatment of malignant tumors. Lymphocyte subsets were measured with the use of monoclonal antibodies (two color method) in 17 malignant tumors of the head and neck and compared with the lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood and metastatic lymph nodes.
Lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of 10 normal persons were measured as controls.
Helper T cells (CD4+, 2H4-) were more numerous in cancer patients, while the NK subset (dull CD8+, CD 11+) and NK activity (CD 16+, Leu7+) were significantly higher in the controls.
In the cancer patients the peripheral blood contained more suppressor T cells (bright CD8+, CD 11+) and NK activity (CD 16+, Leu7+) than did the metastatic lymph nodes.