CD1, CD4, CD8 and CD56: as possible tools for early cancer detection and staging part I

ABSTRACT

Antigen presenting, direct killing and chemotactic responsiveness activity of tumor infiltrating immunocompetent cells were studied in 58 patients with early oral premalignant and malignant spectrum of squamous epithelial proliferation. The cells of Langerhans [CD1 or T6], T lymphocytes bearing suppressor/cytotoxic [CD8] or helper/inducer [CD4], natural killing [NK] cells [CD56] were imaged by the indirect immunoperoxidase method, as to the best of their knowledge, no enough data about their localization in the oral premalignant lesions up till present date. Lc lost their dendritic processes through higher stages of malignancy whereas, high CD4/CD8 and CD56 cells count were noticed at the early and late pre-neoplastic stages. Few of these immunocompetent cells were detected for the first time [to the best of the knowledge] infiltrating the dysplastic oral mucosa. The variable shapes of NK cells while, acting on the neoplastic cells were assessed, also for the first time in the present analysis. The enigma of transformation towards the end of neoplasia stasis, or even regression present in some patients could be influenced with the immunocompetent cells as well as other factors. Marked local immunocytodeficiency were observed in most of the analyzed cells except for CD8 and NK cells through the series of these diseases. In order to achieve an effective adjuvant immunotherapy a thorough analysis of the immune situation is a pre-request. According to the present results, the abovementioned markers have an important role in cancer assessment, prognosis, prevention and treatment