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 lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Levels of CD3+ , CD4+ , CD8+ , CD4+/CD8+, NK and Treg cells in peripheral blood of 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 0.05). Treg cells were significantly more frequent than in the control group ( P < 0.01), and increased with the clinical stage of NSCLC. Conclusion: The cellular immune function of the NSCLC patients is lowered. It is important to detect change of T lymphocyte subgroups by flow cytometry for the diagnosis, treatment and prognostic assessment of NSCLC patients.