Statistical considerations in the methodology of quantifying immunocompetent cells in tumors

OBJECTIVE: To quantify immunocompetent cell (IC) density for different test icular tumors and antibodies and to verify if the results of the comparison s depend on the antibody used. STUDY DESIGN: T-lymphocytes were studied with CD3 and UCHL1 antibodies and macrophages with MAC387 and CD68 in 43 patients with seminomas, mature tera tomas, immature teratomas and embryonal carcinomas of the testis. Counts we re expressed as number of IC per square millimeter. RESULTS: Use of different antibodies produced significant differences in th e IC cell number; moreover, in the case of macrophages, the tumor type sequ ence by increasing cell number was different according to the antibody used . CONCLUSION: These results suggest the existence of a statistical interactio n between the type of tumor and antibody.