Identification of lymphocyte subpopulations in human breast cancer tissue and its significance: an immunoperoxidase study with anti-human T- and B-cell sera

Cancer. 1982 Apr 1;49(7):1456-64. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19820401)49:7<1456::aid-cncr2820490724>3.0.co;2-#.

Abstract

Subpopulations of the infiltrating lymphocytes in breast cancer tissue from 31 patients were identified by indirect immunoperoxidase technique with antihuman T- and B-cell sera. In all noncancerous lesions examined (seven cases), B-cells were predominant and T-cells were scarcely found. In contrast, T-cells were predominant in breast cancer tissues (17 in 21 cases). T-cells tended to contact closely with cancer cells or cancer cell nests and accumulated around and in the walls of venules draining the cancer, while B-cells tended to cluster focally apart from cancer cell nests. T-cell infiltration was scanty in scirrhus carcinoma, whereas it was ample in infiltrating papillotubular carcinoma which had a better prognosis. There was a significant reverse correlation between the intensity of the T-cell infiltration and the clinical stages. The intensity of the T cell infiltration was significantly high in patients without lymph node metastasis. These facts suggest the possibility that the infiltrating T-cells in cancer tissue represent host resistance against cancer and that the intensity of the T cell infiltration correlates with the clinical prognosis of the breast cancer patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Papillary / immunology
  • Adenocarcinoma, Scirrhous / immunology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology