FLOW CYTOMETRIC STUDY OF LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN PATIENTS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF COLORECTAL-CARCINOMA

PURPOSE: The evaluation of lymphocyte subsets by using monoclonal anti bodies in neoplastic patients has provided different results, partly i n relation to the stage of the disease. Therefore, as a preliminary st udy of cancer patients treated with immunomodulating drugs, an analysi s of lymphocyte subsets was performed in colorectal carcinoma patients . METHODS: In this study, a flow cytometric evaluation of lymphocyte s ubsets was performed in 33 patients affected by colorectal carcinoma, with or without metastases. RESULTS: A significant reduction of hemogl obin concentrations and hematocrit was observed in all of these subjec ts, associated with an evident increase of white blood cells, platelet s, and HLA DR-positive T lymphocytes, whereas CD 3-CD 4-positive and C D 20-positive lymphocyte concentrations were decreased. Subjects witho ut metastases showed an evident decrease of hemoglobin concentrations and an increase of white blood cells, platelets and CD 3-HLA DR-positi ve lymphocytes, while patients with disseminated disease also had redu ced mean values of hematocrit, red blood cells, CD 3-CD 4-positive, an d CD 20-positive lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The main differences betwee n colorectal carcinoma patients with or without metastases were repres ented by a decrease of red blood cells, CD 3-CD 4-positive, and CD 20- positive lymphocyte concentrations in the latter group.