Variation of Blood T Lymphocyte Subgroups in Patients with Non- small Cell Lung Cancer

Objectives: To study variation in T lymphocyte subgoups and its clinical significance in non-small cell lungcancer (NSCLC).
Methods: Levels of CD3+ , CD4+ , CD8+ , CD4+/CD8+, NK and Treg cells in peripheral bloodof NSCLC cases and healthy adults were determined by flow cytometry.
Results: CD3+ , CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ratio and NK cells in NSCLCs were decreased significantly in comparison with the control group (P < 0.01), anddecreased with increase in the clinical stage of NSCLC, while CD8+ cells demonstrated no significant change(P > 0.05). Treg cells were significantly more frequent than in the control group (P < 0.01), and increased withthe clinical stage of NSCLC.
Conclusion: The cellular immune function of the NSCLC patients is lowered. Itis important to detect change of T lymphocyte subgroups by flow cytometry for the diagnosis, treatment andprognostic assessment of NSCLC patients.