The Changes of Lymphocytes and Subgroups for Postoperative Immunological Response in Gastrointestinal Carcinoma

Suh, Sung Ock; Son, Gil Soo; Cho, Min Young

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Studies of immune response for cancer have demonstrated that the antitumor immune response plays a role in competing against the growth of cancer cells and is frequently altered in advanced cancer.
METHODS
We evaluated the changes of peripheral blood lymphocytes and their subsets during preoperative and postoperative periods according to the time sequence of the postoperative condition in gastrointestinal carcinoma patients. Lymphocyte surface markers were determined in 39 stomach cancer patients and 33 colon cancer patients by using the indirect immunofluorescence technique with monoclonal antibodies. The patient's body weights, hemoglobin, hematocrits, total protein, and albumin were also measured preoperatively at and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively.
RESULTS
There were significant differences of clinico-laboratory findings between the preoperative and the postoperative periods except for hemoglobin, total protein, and albumin in postoperative course. The total leukocyte count significantly decreased from the postoperative 6th month. The lymphocyte count significantly increased from the postoperative 3rd month. The granulocytes decreased significantly in the postoperative 6th month. The T cells and B cells decreased in the postoperative 3rd month and 1st month, respectively. CD8 increased in the postoperative 3rd month and NK cells also increased in the postoperative 3rd, 6th and 24th months. Other peripheral lymphocytes and their subsets showed no significant differences. The changes in the lymphocyte subsets according to stage were not statistically significant (p<0.005).
CONCLUSIONS
The postoperative changes in lymphocytes, granulocytes, and NK cells were significantly different compared with preoperative levels, but these results did not correlate with postoperative survival and recurrence rate because of the short postoperative follow-up periods.