[Immunohistochemical study using a double fluorescent staining on the regional lymph nodes of gastric cancers]

For the purpose to investigate the immunological anti-tumor function of lymphocytes in the regional lymph nodes of gastric cancer, a double staining procedure using several monoclonal antibodies against the surface membranes of T and NK cells with fluorescent antibody technique was conducted. The number of CD11b+ cells out of CD8+ cells was small with almost all being CD11b- belonging to cytotoxic T cells. Leu8+ cells and Leu8- cells out of CD4+ cells were recognized in equal numbers and were reciprocal. The ratio of CD4+ Leu8-/CD4+ demonstrated an increase in the group injected with OK-432. The ratio of OKT9+ or OKIa1+ occupied in CD8+ or CD4+ cells was only several percent, and few in number. An increase for the ratio of CD4+ OKT9+/CD4+ was observed in the group injected with IL-2. Similar increases for the ratio of CD4+ OKIa1+/CD4+ were obtained in the group injected with OK-432 and in the metastatic group, respectively. The Leu7+ CD16+ cells were not observed. The Leu7- CD16+ cells were observed in a part where metastases were focused. These results indicated that lymphocytes in regional lymphocyte of gastric cancer might hold the hidden anti-tumor effect, but did not display the full function without preoperative intratumor injection of BRM such as IL-2 or OK-432.