Response of lymphocyte subpopulations to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A and pokeweed mitogen in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The mitogenesis of lymphocyte subpopulations in response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) were studied in 75 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and in 51 healthy controls. The net increments of isotope incorporation of either T cells or B cells in NPC patients with PHA, Con A or PWM stimulation were far less than those in controls, with statistical significance (p less than 0.001) respectively. However, there was no link between the mitogenesis and the clinical stage. It is concluded that it is of doubtful value to use quantitative mitogenesis in NPC patients as a prognostic indicator. A study of loco-regional immune response is suggested.