E-rosette forming cells and cell mediated immunity in ovarian cancer

Parameters of cell mediated immunity were examined in 50 women with ovarian cancer, and included E-Rosette formation lymphocyte number, and lymphocyte blastogenesis to PPD. Alterations in these parameters were also determined following surgery and during chemotherapy. Relapse patients demonstrated significantly decreased numbers of "active" and "total" E-Rosette forming cells, as well as a significantly decreased spontaneous incorporation of 125Iododeoxyuridine into unstimulated lymphocytes; PPD responses and total lymphocyte counts were not significantly different from the control group. Analysis of T-cell subpopulations in relapse patients suggested that these cells were suppressed in the unseparated lymphocyte state. Chemotherapy led to an expected decrease in lymphocytes but an unexpected increase in the numbers of E-Rosette forming cells initially. It was postulated that serum factors accounted for the decreased values of these cells in relapse patients rather than a true depletion.