Deficient cell-mediated immunity in head and neck cancer patients secondary to autologous suppressive immune cells.

Fifty-four patients with epidermoid head and neck cancer were studied with routine and modified mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) techniques to quantify and characterize their cell-mediated immunity (CMI). Of these, 67% demonstrated deficient CMI in MLC. Employing G-10 column filtration to remove adherent cells selectively, the authors found that 56% of these deficient individuals demonstrated significantly increased lymphocyte responsiveness in MLC. Returning the adherent cells to the cultures usually recaptured the suppressive effect of these adherent cells. Cell marker analyses reveal that the macrophage is the most likely candidate for this suppressive cell. Therapeutic measures which address this paradoxically suppressive cell could be of benefit in enhancing CMI and gaining tumor control.