High affinity rosette forming cells in carcinoma of the oral cavity, uterine cervix and breast.

Total rosette forming cells (TRFC) and high affinity rosette forming cells (HARFC) were enumerated in 534 patients with carcinoma of oral cavity, uterine cervix or breast, and the results were compared with adult controls. The HARFC levels were found to be significantly decreased in cancer patients, and this decrease was more pronounced in advanced clinical stages. The HARFC levels returned to normal in patients who had a clinical cure but remained low in patients having residual disease. Enumeration of HARFC may therefore be useful in assessing the cell mediated immunity in cancer patients.