The significance of relationship of the presence of nonspecific suppressor cells in spleens with gastric cancer-related pathology.

Lymphocyte-rich mononuclear cells (MC) were prepared from spleens removed at the time of surgery for gastric cancer and the suppressor cell activity on autochthonous peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) responses to PHA-P and Con A was assessed. Suppressor cell activity of MC on PBL responses to at least one mitogen, either PHA-P or Con A, was observed in 52 percent (11/21) of the gastric tissues studied. MC of patients with stage IV disease appeared to exhibit the highest frequency of the presence of the activity. MC of patients with cancer with microscopically proven metastasis to group 2 lymph nodes or to more distant lymph nodes were preponderant in showing the activity. MC of patients with cancer occupying the greater curvature or the entire circumference of the stomach were also preponderant in the activity. The implications of these findings are discussed.