TUMOR DIFFERENTIATION-DEPENDENT LOCAL IMMUNITY IN HUMAN HEAD AND NECKCANCERS

Distribution of markers of local cell-mediated immunity was examined i n oral tumors exhibiting different histological stages of differentiat ion. Using a RT-PCR-based semiquantitative technique we determined lev els of Langerhans cells, CD4- and CD8-positive T-cells, macrophages/NK cells, beta 2-microglobulin and IFN-gamma mRNAs from tissue biopsies. A positive correlation was found between levels of these immunologica l markers and the tumor differentiation stage. Since tumor differentia tion may correlate with the prognosis and response to various treatmen t modalities, our results may be useful clinically. Published by Elsev ier Science Ireland Ltd.