Subpopulations of mononuclear cells in microscopic lesions of psoriatic patients. Selective accumulation of suppressor/cytotoxic T cells in epidermis during the evolution of the lesion.

The age of microscopic lesions in psoriatic subjects was assessed from the stacking characteristics in the horny layer and related to type and density (cells/tissue volume) of mononuclear cells in the epidermis and the dermis determined by immunoperoxidase methods using monoclonal antibodies. Pan T cells (Lyt-2+, Lyt-3+, Leu-4+, OKT3+), T helper cells (Leu-3a+, OKT4+), T suppressor/cytotoxic cells (Leu-2a+, OKT8+), Ia+ cells and monocytes (OKM2+, BRL alpha mono+) were determined in epidermis and dermis. The psoriatic lesion was divided into regions underneath a parakeratotic and an orthohyperkeratotic/hypergranular portion of the horny layer and contrasted with perilesional and uninvolved psoriatic skin as well as with healthy skin. In the various regions and skin layers, the cell density was highest in parakeratosis and decreased toward normality with decreasing histologic abnormality. The relation between epidermal and dermal cell densities of the T-cell subsets was modified in the involved psoriatic skin with a selective preponderance of T suppressor/cytotoxic cells in the epidermis. The accumulation was present in the youngest lesion found (3 days) and cell densities were unchanged in older lesions. The findings suggests that the altered relationship in the subsets of T cells has an important role during the induction and progress of the psoriatic process in the skin.

Intraarterial infusion chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil) in patients with inextirpable or locally recurrent rectal cancer.

A retrospective analysis of the results of treatment of advanced rectal cancer of the pelvis with regional intraarterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is reported. A special technic for positioning the catheters selectively in the internal iliac arteries justifies this analysis. Four patients with primary inextirpable rectal cancer and 10 patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer have been treated. No immediate mortality was noted. Relief of pain was noted in two-thirds of the patients. An objective tumor response was noted in three patients with locally recurrent disease. In one patient with primary inoperable cancer it was possible to extirpate the tumor after infusion therapy. An improvement in quality of life during the first 2 months after therapy was achieved in half of the patients as judged by their performance. Complications were not serious. Hematomas with infection were seen in one patient, two patients had septicemia, and three patients had transient oliguria. Transient thrombocytopenia was reported in two patients. The results indicate that infusion therapy produces a reasonable response such as palliation of pain. Only minor complications were seen and easily controlled. The advantages of infusion therapy are that it can be given in a reasonable time with only a short hospital stay.