OBSERVATION OF CHANGES IN PERIPHERAL T-LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS BY FLOW-CYTOMETRY IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER-CANCER TREATED WITH RADIOIMMUNOTHERAPY

An analysis of lymphocyte subsets was performed in 24 patients with su rgically verified unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In all cases, the hepatic artery was cannulated and ligated and a single dose of I-131-Hepama-1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) was infused through a hep atic artery catheter. blood samples were obtained before infusion and 1 month post-infusion. The results indicated that the CD3+ T-cells (pa n T-cells) were normal, whereas the CD4+ T-cells (T-helper/inducer cel ls) decreased and the CD8+ T-cells (T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells) incr eased significantly in comparison with the control group. So the CD4+: CD8+ ratio declined markedly. One month post-radioimmunotherapy (RIT) , the T-cell subsets did not change, but CD4+, CD8+ and the CD4+:CD8ratio differed significantly between patients with and without sequent ial resection. The changes in the T-cell subsets were closely related to tumour capsule status and the human anti-murine antibody (HAMA) res ponse, but no relationship was found between the tumour and administra tion of a moderate dose of radioimmunoconjugate. Therefore, determinat ion of changes in the T-lymphocyte subsets and the CD4+: CD8+ ratio co uld be used as clinical and prognostic indicators in patients who have received RIT. Furthermore, RIT did not affect the distribution of T-c ell subsets in patients with HCC.