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Lymphocyte Subset Alterations in Nodes Regional to Human Melanoma¹

Division of Surgical Oncology [Z. F., A. J. C., D. L. M.], Department of Radiation Oncology [W. H. M.], and Department of Pathology [A. J. C.], University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024, and Department of Rheumatology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033 [J. D. G., V. W.]

The lymphocyte subpopulations in tumor-draining lymph nodes of melanoma patients were determined using two-color flow cytometry. Data were analyzed according to: (a) the staging of the melanoma; (b) whether or not the nodes contained tumor; and (c) their distance from the primary tumor.

Compared with Stage I patients (without metastasis), uninvolved nodes of stage II patients (with nodal metastases) had a significant decrease in helper/inducer (CD4⁺) T-cells (P < 0.001), with a corresponding increase in cytotoxic/suppressor (CD8⁺) cells (P < 0.001) and Leu 19⁺ natural killer (CD56⁺) cells (P < 0.01). In some patients the presence of tumor within a node was associated with a large decrease in CD3⁺ total T-cells, whereas in others tumor involvement had little influence on lymphocyte phenotypes. When analyzed by distance from the primary tumor, nodes closest to tumor in Stage I patients contained a smaller percentage of CD19⁺ B-cells. In Stage II, tumor-free nodes nearest to tumor showed an increase in CD19⁺ cells, but statistical significance was not reached. CD56⁺ natural killer cells increased progressively in nodes near tumor and were more numerous in Stage II uninvolved nodes compared with Stage I nodes.

Alterations in phenotypically defined lymph node lymphocytes occur in nodes regional to melanoma as the disease progresses, as growth of metastases occurs, and in tumor-free nodes nearest to tumor. These alterations may be essential to the establishment and progression of metastases.

¹ Supported by Grant CA 43658 from the NIH.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at UCLA-Medical Center, 9th Floor Louis Factor Bldg. 9–267, Los Angeles, CA 90024.

Received 7/31/89. Revised 12/19/89.