Changes in peripheral lymphocyte subsets during radiotherapy for lung cancer patients

In order to better understand the immunologic effects of irradiation, blood levels of lymphocyte subsets were sequentially monitored in 37 patients before and during irradiation treatment for lung cancer. During irradiation, the peripheral blood levels of each T cell subgroup, OKT3-reactive (OKT3+), OKT4+, OKT8+ and OKT11+ lymphocytes showed similar radiosensitivity. No selective depletion of either OKT4+ or OKT8+ lymphocytes was seen. The levels of OKT6+ and OKT9+ lymphocytes were different depending on the case. At the end of irradiation, the percent of lymphocytes bearing the OKT10 antigen increased significantly. As to OKM1+ and OKIa1+ lymphocytes, the levels were almost consistent but showed a rather big standard deviation.