The proportion and absolute numbers of T and B cell population were measured by the sheep red blood cell ro sette formation technique; the activity of β-galactosidase, lysosomal enzymes of peripheral blocd monocytes; the reduction of Nitro Blue tetrazorium of peripheral blood polymorph nuclear cells; the levels of serum immunoglobulins, ESHS-globulins, Hapto-globulins and complement 3 were investigated in 38 patients with primary lung cancer. The results are summarized as follows.
Both tuberculin reaction and DNCB reaction were reduced in these subjects, especially the latter reaction showing a decrease according to the clinical stage. Absolute numbers of T cells in all clinical stages were decreased, as were B cells in the fourth stage only. The activity of β-galatosidase of blood monocytes in all clinical stages was reduced. NBT reaction was reduced in clinical stages I to III but was observed to increase in stage IV. IgG tended to increase with each stage, but on the contrary IgA tended to decrease. The levels of IgM showed no definite tendency.
From the above results it is thought that cellular immunity was more reduced than humoral immunity in patients with primary lung cancer particularly as the clinical stage advanced, therefore the patients were easily infected in later clinical stages.
