PROGNOSTIC-SIGNIFICANCE OF TUMOR-HOST INTERACTION IN CLINICAL GASTRIC-CANCER - RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DNA PLOIDY AND DENDRITIC CELL INFILTRATION

DNA ploidy of tumor cells and the degree of infiltration of dendritic cells were determined in 93 gastric cancer tissue specimens, and the m echanisms of tumor-host interaction on the prognosis were investigated . DNA ploidy patterns were grouped into low and high ploidy, and the d egree of infiltration of dendritic cells (DC) was graded into marked a nd slight infiltration. In the low ploidy group, the 5-year survival r ates in patients with marked and slight DC infiltration were 80.7% and 61.5%, respectively (P < 0.05). In the high ploidy group, however, th ere were no significant differences. In cases of low ploidy, the incid ence of lymph node metastasis was significantly lower in the marked DC infiltration group compared with findings in the slight DC group. Thu s, markedly infiltrating dendritic cells in gastric cancer tissue may lead to prolongation of survival time for patients with a carcinoma of the low ploidy profile, by preventing widespread nodal involvement.