[The subpopulations and prognostic implication of mononuclear cells infiltration in pulmonary carcinoma]

Subpopulations of infiltrating mononuclear cells in 51 resected pulmonary carcinoma specimens were studied with immunohistochemical technique (ABC and PAP methods). The major constituent of the mononuclears was T-cells, especially the OKT8+ cells (T suppressor/cytotoxic). The local infiltration of the mononuclears in pulmonary carcinoma was related to the prognosis of the case. The more the OKT8+ and B1+ lymphocytes infiltrated, the longer the survival (rate obtained) whereas, the infiltration of some kinds of plasma cells tended to have a negative correlation with the prognosis of the case. The significance of the mononuclears in pulmonary carcinoma is discussed.