[Evaluation of T- and B-cell immunity of regional lymph nodes in patients with skin melanoma and prognosis of the disease].

Immune response of regional lymph nodes was studied in 30 skin melanoma patients. T-lymphocyte count in metastatic lymph nodes was lower than in those without metastases. T-lymphocyte proliferation in response to PHA was inhibited 3-fold and the level of surface immunoglobulin-bearing B-lymphocytes was approximately 1.6 times lower in the involved node group. Cytological examination of the involved nodes detected a decrease in the counts of lymphocytes and reticular cells. This further confirms that metastatic involvement of lymph nodes is associated with a low immunologic activity, thus suggesting an unfavorable prognosis.