[An immunohistologic study of reactive lymphocytes in breast tissue]

A series of T-cell specific monoclonal antibodies (Leu-4; CD-3, OKT-4; CD-4, OKT8; CD-8) and a B-cell specific monoclonal antibody (Leu-12; CD-19) were used to detect the localization and intensity of lymphocytes in breast tissue. Frozen sections of 12 fibrocystic diseases, 11 fibroadenomas and 17 carcinomas of the breast were examined during this study. CD-3 and CD-8 positive lymphocytes predominated in and around the ducts of the fibrocystic disease and the fibroadenoma. Similarly, almost all of the reactive lymphocytes around the cancerous tissue also were CD-3 and CD-8 positive suppressor/cytotoxic cells.