Exploration Of The Relationship Between The Changes Of T Cell Subsets And Th₁/Th₂ Cytokines And The Immune Function Of Patients With Malignant Tumor

Objective: We carried out this study to elucidate suppression ofimmune function related to the progression of malignant tumors byinvestigating the activity of T cell subset and its cytokines as IFN-γ (Th,) , IL-4 (Th₂) and NK cell, B cell in peripheral blood of the patientswith malignant tumors in the later stage.Patients and Methods: 77 cases were used in the present study were divided into two groups: tumor group (44 cases, with malignant tumors in the later stage) and normal group (43 cases, normal cases without malignant tumors). The activity of T cell subset and its cytokines as IFN-γ(Th₁), IL-4(Th₂) and NK cell, B cell in peripheral blood of the patients were investigated by Flow cytometry. A statistical study was done between the two groups.Results: The activity of NK cell, the cytokine IFN- γ (Th₁) secreted by CD₄⁺ , CD₈⁺( CD₄⁺/IFN-γ⁺, CD₈⁺/IFN-γ⁺) in peripheral blood in the tumor group were significantly lower than in the normal group. But there was no difference of the activity of CD₃⁺ , CD₄⁺ , CD₈⁺ B cell, the cytokine IL-4 (Th₂) secreted by CD₄⁺ , CD₈⁺ (CD₄⁺IL-4⁺, CD₈⁺IL-4⁺) between the two groups.Conclusion: Dis-equilibrium of Th₁ and Th₂ might be one of the causes leading to immune deviation in patients with malignant tumor . The NK cells, T cell subset and its cytokines could identify the immune function of the patients. These might be clinically significant to treatment and prognosis.