LIMITED HETEROGENEITY IN THE T-CELL RECEPTOR V-GENE USAGE IN LYMPHOCYTES INFILTRATING HUMAN COLORECTAL TUMORS

The presence of T lymphocytes in solid tumours may reflect an ongoing immune response against the transformed cells. We have used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to investigate the T-cell receptor va riable-region gene (V-gene) usage in freshly isolated tumour-infiltrat ing lymphocytes (TILs) to look for a possible oligoclonality of T cell s in the tumour area. We used 19 different V beta-family-specific prim ers. Peripheral blood lymphocytes and lamina propria lymphocytes from the same patients were also tested by PCR. Our results demonstrate a l imited heterogeneity in the V-gene usage of TILs from seven patients w ith colorectal cancers, suggesting a local antigen-driven immune respo nse at the tumour site.