[Suppression of cellular immunity in patients with carcinoma in situ and microinvasive cancer of the cervix uteri].

Monoclonal antibodies (Ortho type) were used for immunocytochemical evaluation of cell-mediated immunity in peripheral blood from 29 patients with in situ (TisNoMo) and microinvasive (T1aNoMo) cervical carcinoma. The total number of T cells (OKT3+) was decreased in both patient groups compared to healthy volunteers. Marked difference between OKT4+ (helper/inducer) and OKT8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic) cells was observed OKT8+ level rose with advancement of disease, resulting in inverted OKT4+/OKT8+ ratio in T1aNoMo cancer patients. Antitumor immune resistance proved inhibited in both study groups manifesting itself in suppression of cell-mediated immunity.