Langerhans cell population in early invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Langerhans cell counts were performed using indirect immunoperoxidase staining for S100 protein in 10 cases of early invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and 20 controls from routine hysterectomy specimens. There was a significant (p < 0.01) reduction in the number of Langerhans cells per unit sectional area of tumour tissue compared to the normal cervical epithelium. The density of Langerhans cells in the 3 patients with tumour metastasis in pelvic lymph nodes was further reduced. The low density of Langerhans cells in invasive squamous cell carcinoma compared to the normal state may reflect poor local immunosurveillance and may be related to progression and spread of the tumour.