Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes were studied in 28 cases of undifferentiated carcinoma using a panel of monoclonal antibodies. For the T subsets we used OKT4 (helper/inducer), 8 (suppressor/cytotoxic), 11 (pan T), 9 (transferrin receptor) and Dako T6. For the B cells we used polyclonals IgM, D, G and A. Others were HNK-1 (natural-killer cells), THB-5 and W6/32 (HLA-ABC) and HLA-DR. Most of the lymphocytes were T cells and in 26 of 28 biopsies there were more T8 than T4 cells which could be seen around and within the tumour masses. There was also an increase in HNK and T6 cells. Tumour cells were positive for both W6/32 and HLA-DR. Occasional THB-5 positive cell could be seen within tumour masses. All tumour cells stained strongly with keratin and cytokeratin.